Daily Devotional | God’s Word Is Supremely Valuable

I used to collect baseball cards, but I never owned any as valuable as the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. One in mint condition sold last August for $12.6 million. At the time of its original purchase, this card would have come in a pack that cost only a nickel. Today it is the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction.

As valuable as that Mickey Mantle card may be, God’s Word far surpasses it. The Bible is beyond priceless! Psalm 19 first presents the “book” of nature, describing how creation declares God’s glory (vv. 1–6). In today’s reading, it turns its attention to the Book of God.

Scripture’s qualities and virtues reflect God, its source (vv. 7–9). The Word of God is perfect. It refreshes the soul and restores life. It’s true, trustworthy, and reliable. It teaches those who study and obey it so that they learn, grow, and mature. It’s good and righteous and therefore we’re able to rejoice in the right things. The Word is radiant—truthful and life-giving—providing guidance and keeping us alert. It’s also pure and endures forever.

As a result, the psalmist is well justified in proclaiming that Scripture is supremely valuable, desirable, and delightful (vv. 10–12). This is true objectively—it’s more precious than gold, and experientially—it’s sweeter than honey. If we stray, it warns us back to the right path (see July 25). If we follow and obey it, we’ll receive “great reward” (v. 11).

This psalm naturally develops into a prayer for righteousness (vv. 12–14). God’s Word can convict us, prompting us to pray for forgiveness of hidden sins, as well as to repent of willful or habitual sins. May all that we think, say, and do be pleasing in God’s sight!

>> Why not make verses 12–14 your own prayer today? It is not enough to admire the Bible from a distance, instead, allow the Word of God to invade and transform your life!

Pray with Us

“Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me...May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:12–14).

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.