God's Word is Our Great Reward --Part 1

“And in keeping them [God's commands] there is great reward.”

Today we come to the line of the Scripture we have been studying for these past few weeks: Psalm 19:7-11.   I have so enjoyed studying God's Word with you and really diving deeply into our own heart responses to God's Word.  But let us dive into this last line, about the great rewards of following God's Words.

Before we look at what scholars call the "interpretation" and "application," let's take a look at observation--specifically, Hebrew words.

Hebrew Word for Keep

The word for "keeping" is the word "shamar."  I know that doesn't really mean anything to you, but as a Hebrew student myself, it is kind of cool.  :)  I'll even show you how it's spelled in Hebrew: שָׁמַר Pretty cool, hugh?  Anyway, the word shamar means "to keep, guard, observe, give heed."  It's the way you keep something in your mind (Genesis 37:11), or the way you keep a covenant (Genesis 17:9).  It also carries the idea of guarding (Joshua 10:18) and is translated that way in other passages.

This is how we are to treat God's Words.  We are called to keep them in our minds and to guard them from escaping our hearts.  More than that though, we are to observe them and give heed to what they say.  We are to obey God's Words.

The Great Reward

I'll be the first to admit that following in Christ's footsteps isn't always easy.  In fact, Jesus promised we would have trouble (John 16:33).  Although sometimes it may seem that we are in the loss, in the end, we will gain the greatest reward as we keep God's commands. We will one day be blessed beyond imagination.  Spurgeon says it well: 

“Oh the glory yet to be revealed! It is enough to make a man faint for joy at the prospect of it. Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Then shall we know the value of the Scriptures when we swim in that sea of unutterable delight to which their streams will bear us, if we commit ourselves to them.”

What wonderful blessings and rewards we have waiting for us in heaven!  We can not even imagine what great things God has in store for us there (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Unfortunately this is all the time we have for today.  Come back again on Friday to hear more about the rewards we have for obeying God's Word, but even more than that, our motive.  I'll see you then!