Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Psalm 19:7b The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE
There is a saying that goes, "You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time," which is another way of saying, "Some people tend to believe almost anything." It is such people, who believe and accept every new teaching as the truth, who are described in this text as "simple." In Romans 16:18, Paul describes the simple as those who are deceived by good words and fair speeches.
Are you simple? Of course we are not talking in earthly terms, but are we simple in the sense of what we believe? Our world is full of people who would like to change our minds, who suggest new ideas, scientists who are constantly suggesting theories that reject what God says. There are those who are constantly challenging us: "How can you be so sure that you are right?"
Who has the answer? Psalm 19 here tells us: "The testimony of the Lord, the Word of our God, is sure, making wise the simple." The only answer to confusion and false theories and doubt is the Word of God. When we think about it, meditate on it, study it, and compare it, the result is that we will no longer be simple, but will come to possess a sure wisdom and understanding that good words and fair speeches cannot shake. And through His Word our living Lord not only gives us the right answers, but at the same time works in us the Spirit-moved courage and conviction called faith that trusts these answers and is sure. Through the sure testimony of God's Word, the Lord continues to work in our hearts, revealing to us these answers of faith.
And what a beautiful testimony this is -- a testimony that makes us wise when others are simple! May it be that we confess with the psalmist who said: "Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:129-130). God grant it!
