December 17 - The Words of the LORD are More Precious than Gold 정금보다 더 사모할 말씀

December 17 - The Words of the LORD are More Precious than Gold

 

“The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” – Psalm 12:6

 

A theme of David's writing is full confidence in God's goodness, wisdom, and Word (Psalm 18:30; 33:4; 40:8). Here, David uses the example of refining precious metals to explain the perfection and purity of God's Word.

Metals such as silver and gold are separated from impurities by melting; this burns away most of the worthless material. Repeating this process using different techniques or adding other chemicals can separate undesirable substances. Here, David refers to the number of perfection, seven, applying it to the refinement of God's Word. The LORD's statements are perfect and complete. No one can improve on them, nor should anyone add to them. Unlike the lies and flattery used by the oppressors of the poor and needy to achieve their wicked goals (Psalm 12:2), the LORD's words are true and reliable.

In His prayer for His followers, Jesus asks the Father to sanctify them with His Word. He adds, "Your word is truth" (John 17:17). Psalm 119:72 puts a higher value on the Word of the LORD than many gold and silver pieces. God's Word brings the knowledge of salvation and the power to lead a righteous, effective life (2 Timothy 3:15–17).

 

The Psalmist expresses that the word of the LORD is the way to attain fear of the LORD (Psalms 19:9). There are two reasons why the Word is the way to fear and revere God. First, God fearfully gave His laws. When Moses received the Law at Mt. Sinai, there was thunder, smoke, and fire. Moses’ experience shows us that we should receive His word with much fear and trembling, for the Word is Holy (Exodus 20:18-21). Second, God gave His laws for a fearful purpose. For sinful human beings like us, receiving the Word of God is a fearful thing because it brings judgment and death. His word is eternal and righteous. And God reveals what is true and false through His Word. That is why Isaiah cried out, “Woe to me!” (Isaiah 6:5) when God appeared to Him.

 

The word of God is pure (Psalm 12:6). To be sure, we will be judged according to His Word, but the good news is that Chhist became the Word incarnate; Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). David in Psalm 19:10 tells us the value of the word of God: “They are more precious than gold than much pure gold.” The word of God is our true treasure. Obeying the word of God is like building a house on a rock. Moreover, the word of God is not only our treasure but our joy as well. Psalm 19:10 testifies that the Word is “sweeter than honey than honey from the comb.” Such expression tells us that by obeying the word, we store treasure for ourselves and engage in a joyful experience.

 

God warns, admonishes, and instructs us through the Scripture. Paul talks about the value of the Scriptures and says, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We need to understand that there is a reward for keeping the word of God (Psalms 19:11). The rewards are these: reviving the soul, wisdom, and joy, confidence to stand before Christ on the judgment day. 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray that God removes any distractions from wholesome love among your family and friends. Ask that all ungodly priorities and self-interests be wiped away so that love can abound. 

Prayer Pointer: Getting stress out of your life takes more than prayer alone. You must take action to make changes and stop doing whatever is causing the stress. You can learn to calm down in the way you handle things. – Joyce  Meyer

Bible Reading: Obadiah; Revelation 8

 

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12월17일 - 정금보다 더 사모할 말씀

 

“여호와의 말씀은 순결함이여 흙 도가니에 일곱 번 단련한 은 같도다” - 시 12:6

 

 

다윗이 기록한 시편의 주제는 하나님의 선하심과 지혜, 그리고 그의 말씀에 대한 확신입니다(시 18:30; 33:4; 40:8). 그리고 시편 12편 6절에서 다윗은 귀금속을 정제하는 실례를  들어서 하나님의 말씀의 완전성과 순수성을 설명하고 있습니다. 

 

금과 은과 같은 금속은 용해 과정을 통해 불순물을 제거합니다. 용해과정은 쓸모없는 물질의 대부분을 태워 버리고 다른 기술을 사용하거나 다른 화학 물질을 추가하며 이 과정을 반복하면 불필요한 물질을 더 제거해 낼 수 있습니다. 다윗은 완전 숫자인 일곱을 언급하며, 하나님의 말씀을 통한 완전한 정제를 말합니다. 주님의 말씀은 완전하기 때문에 말씀을 더 발전시킬 수도 없고 더 추가할 수 없습니다. 가난하고 궁핍한 사람들을 압제하는 자들이 그들의 악한 목표를 이루려고 이용하는 거짓말과 아첨과는 달리(시편 12:2), 말씀은 참되고 신뢰할 수 있습니다.  

 

제자들을 위한 기도에서 예수님은 아버지께 말씀으로 그들을 거룩하게 해달라고 간구합니다. 그리고 "아버지의 말씀은 진리니이다"(요 17:17)리고 말합니다. 시편 119:72은 많은 금과 은보다 주님의 말씀에 더 높은 가치를 부여하는데 하나님의 말씀은 구원에 대한 지식과 의롭고 효과적인 삶을 영위할 수 있는 능력을 제공하기 때문입니다(딤후 3:15-17).

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시편 기자는 하나님을 경외하는 길은 하나님의 말씀으로 표현합니다(시 19:9). 하나님의 말씀이 여오화 하나님을 경외하는 길이 되는 두 가지 이유가 있습니다. 첫째, 하나님은 두려운 방법으로 율법을 주셨습니다. 모세가 시내 산에서 율법을 받을 때, 천둥과 연기와 불이 있었습니다. 모세의 경험은 우리가 말씀이 거룩하기 때문에 두려움과 떨림으로 하나님의 말씀을 받아들여야 한다는 것을 보여줍니다(출 20:18-21). 둘째, 하나님을 경외하는 목적을 위해 율법을 주셨습니다. 죄 많은 인간에게는 하나님의 말씀이 심판과 죽음을 가져 오기 때문에 하나님의 말씀을 받는 것이 두려운 일입니다. 하나님의 말씀은 영원하고 의롭운 것입니다. 그리고 하나님은 그의 말씀을 통해 참과 거짓을 계시하시기 때문에 이사야는 하나님께서 그에게 나타나셨을 때에 "내게 화로다"라고 외친 것입니다(사 6:5).

 

그리고 하나님의 말씀은 순결니다(시 12:6). 우리는 하나님의 말씀에 따라 심판을 받지만, 복음은 길이요 진리요 생명이신 예수 그리스도께서(요 14:6) 말씀으로 성육신하셨다는 것입니다.. 시편 19:10에서 다윗은 하나님의 말씀의 가치를 금보다 귀하고 많은 순금보다 귀하다고 말합니다. 하나님의 말씀은 우리의 진정한 보물이며 하나님의 말씀에 순종하는 것은 반석 위에 집을 짓는 것과 같습니다. 더욱이 하나님의 말씀은 우리의 보물일 뿐만 아니라 기쁨이 되기도 합니다. 시편 19:10은 말씀이 "꿀과 송이 꿀보다 더 달도다"고 증거합니다. 이러한 표현은 하나님의 말씀에 순종하면 자신을 위해 보물을 쌓고 기쁨을 경험한다는 것을 알려 줍니다.

 

하나님은 성경 말씀을 통해 우리에게 경고하고 훈계하고 가르치십니다. 바울은 성경의 가치에 대해 “모든 성경은 하나님의 감동으로 된 것으로 교훈과 책망과 바르게 함과 의로 교육하기에 유익하니”(딤후3:16)라고 말합니다. 우리는 하나님의 말씀을 지키며 순종하는데 보상이 있다는 것을 알아야 합니다(시편 19:11). 이 보상은 영혼을 소생시키는 것과 지혜와 기쁨을 얻는 것과, , 심판의 날에 그리스도 앞에 설 수 있는 자신감을 가지는 것입니다.   

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오늘의 기도: 당신의 가족과 친구들이 진정한 사랑을 나누는데 방해가 되는 것을 제거해 주시도록 하나님께 기도하고 경건하지 못한 것들과 자기중심의 관심들을 없애고 사랑으로 충만하도록 기도하십시오.

기도 지침: ”당신의 삶에서 스트레스를 없애려면 기도 외에 다른 것을 해야 한다. 당신은 반드시 변화를 위해 행동을 취해야 하고 스트레스를 유발하는 것들을 중단해야 한다. 당신은 그러한 것들을 관리하면 마음이 안정되는 방법을 배울 수 있다. – 조이스 마이어

성경 읽기: 오바댜; 요한계시록 8장