“I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil” (Psalm 119:162).

In Psalm 119 we find certain statements repeated again and again.  This repetition indicates the importance of those statements.  Verse 162 is one of many that express David’s great joy over God’s word and how highly he valued it.  I have mentioned this subject often because it is so important.  Let me quote a  few of Thomas Manton’s comments on this subject: “This joy, which is the mark of a sound believer, is delighting to know, believe, and obey God’s word.”  “Those who are most observant of God’s will, and careful to follow it, have the greatest contentment in their souls.”  Manton maintains that the encouragement and comfort that result from being employed in performing God’s commands, are a continual feast to the Christian.  Compared to this, all other pleasures are nothing.  It is a sweet thing know God’s word and be brought under the power of it.  The reason God’s word can do this, affirms Manton, is that “the godly find glad tidings in the word, suitable to their soul’s necessities.  Here is enough to content them.  The word of God affords such comforts, such matter of rejoicing, as cannot be paralleled.  Oh! what inestimable treasure do we find in the word of God!”  True Christians have tasted God’s love in the doctrines and promises of the gospel.  This sweetness gives the believer such assurance, that no arguments can stand against it.  

The Purpose of Our Affections

“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments” Psalm 119:131.  This verse expresses in a picturesque way David’s great affection for God’s word.  The soul’s passionate desire for God’s word is like the body’s thirst for water.  He longed for all of the encouragement and blessings that come from the knowledge of God.  God has endowed us with various affections so that we can know Him, serve Him, and enjoy Him.  He has given us the ability to love, fear, and admire HIm, along with other affections that make it possible for us to experience a full and satisfying relationship with Him.  Thomas Manton’s explanation of the purpose of our affections is brilliant: The soul never works better than in the strength of some eminent affection.  In all things that we take in hand, we do so weakly. while we have a listless will; but when the force of a strong affection is upon us, the soul is carried along strongly; for affections are the forcible and vigorous motions of the will.  Were it not for affections, our nature would be sluggish and idle.  The stronger our affections, the better we act.”  The more we love something, the harder we will work for it.  The purpose of biblical religion is to set our affections on the right objects.  The first and greatest commandment is that we love God with all our heart, and soul, and strength.  The foundation of our faith is setting our affections on God. The capacity to love enables us to cling to Him passionately.   God’s grace works in our hearts to make that a reality.  More of Manton’s thoughts on this tomorrow