GOD’S WORD IS ETERNALLY SETTLED

“Forever, O LORD, Your WORD IS SETTLED in heaven” – Psalm 119:89

GOD’S WORD IS ETERNALLY SETTLED: “Forever, O LORD, Your WORD IS SETTLED in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). Therefore, any life, marriage, home, family, career, business, project, institution, Church or nation built on the firm foundation of the Word will be securely established, settled, and built to flourish! The Bible is the greatest book ever written; and the greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s Word is Psalm 119. In today’s meditation text, the Psalmist acknowledged God’s faithfulness and His creative power. Creation subsists and is sustained by the Word of God: “You established the earth, and it abides” (v.90; Ref. Genesis 1:3).  

God’s Word is settled “forever”: From eternity past until this very moment in time – “They continue this day…” (v.91). All was settled in heaven before God ever put them into writing. And no part of His Word has changed from the time that God first spoke until now. This section focuses on the endurance of the Word of God. His Word withstands all and still stands. The four sub-sections of this passage deal respectively with: the Permanence (vv.89-91); Protection (v.92); Power (vv.93-95); and Perfection in God’s Word.

Permanence: God’s Word is established and settled, being the Word of the omniscient, Eternal Lord. He knows everything; every fact and detail. His Word does not need to be updated like an encyclopaedia or dictionary. It is impossible for God not to know something: “Known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:18). His Word is settled in Heaven, far beyond human reach or manipulation. No one, however clever, can subvert God’s Word: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Mt.24:35). When all else is gone; God’s Word will remain. Voltaire, the modern infidel, said, “In 50 years I'll have this book in the morgue.” Fifty years later, Voltaire was dead and his house was being used by the Geneva Bible Society to store Bibles.

Protection in God's Word (v.92): This was the psalmist's personal testimony. He expressed his reliance on God’s Word for his life’s preservation. The Word gave him what to hang onto when his world was falling apart: a rock and anchor to hold him steady.

Power in God's Word (vv.93-95): His Word is life (Jh.6:63). Life and sustenance come from the Word. When Jesus asked if the disciples would also turn away from Him, Peter replied: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the WORDS of ETERNAL LIFE” (Jh.6: 68b). The Psalmist found deliverance in God’s Word. The wicked waited to destroy him, but the Word kept him safe (v.95).

Perfection in God's Word (v.96): The Bible is not a parochially narrow book with myopic views. Rather, God's Word is exceedingly broad. It gives a true account of the origin of the universe; an understanding of the purpose of Man in creation; the plan of salvation and the heart of God; and comfort to the suffering, and hope for the lost.

God's Word is permanent; it provides us protection, power, and is perfect. If there was no Word of God, would it make a difference in my life? How important is God’s word to me? I am convinced that: Without the Settled Word of God, no life on earth can really be settled; and that failure to obey His Word is sin that must be repented of for one to have a renewal of fellowship with my Father-God! Therefore, I choose to base my whole life on God’s eternally Settled Word and make all of life’s decisions on the basis of Scripture.