Love, Joy, Hope

 Psalm 119

97 Oh how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.

111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

    for they are the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes

    forever, to the end.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117 Hold me up, that I may be safe

    and have regard for your statutes continually!

As we return to our study of the longest psalm today, these three stanzas of eight verses (v.97-120) reveal to us the spiritual fruit obtained through the study of God's Word.  When we spend time with Him in the scriptures, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we begin to understand what love is - doing what is best for others, which in turn results in our good.  We also learn that when we follow God's ways, we find something far deeper than passing happiness; we find true joy.  Finally, when delve into the promises of God, we find hope, trusting in God's plan with an increasing assurance that all will be well and that He will see us safely through.  How much love, joy, and hope we miss when we do not commit to His Word.