GOD’S WORD IS LIKE GOLD

“The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver” – Psalm 119:72

The Word of God is priceless. GOD’S WORD IS LIKE GOLD: “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (Psa.119:72). In declaring how he valued and treasured God’s Word, the psalmist wasn’t merely offering a beautiful senti­ment. He was stating it like evidence in a court of law: “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey…” (Psa.19:10a); “Therefore I loveYour commandments more than gold; yes, than fine gold” (Psa.119: 127).   

The lives of great Bible heroes illustrate that they depended on God’s Word to guide and direct them. God told Joshua that if he wanted to be successful he would need to meditate on His Word (Jos. 1:8). Job said he treasured God’s Word more than his daily food (Job 23:12). Jeremiah testified that when he found God’s words, he ate them and they became his heart’s delight (Jer. 15:16a).

With some notable exceptions, gold has been the standard measure of affluence for civilizations over time. Hence, the term “Gold Standard” connotes excellence. It seems apt therefore to relate God’s Word with gold. Yet, as valuable as gold is, it is worthless by comparison with the eternal riches in God’s Word.  The Psalmist declared the Word as being “more to be desired . . . than gold” (19:10a). The metaphor of Gold profoundly signifies the inestimable value of the Word of God, in at least four ways.

First, gold is treasured for its inherent value.  Similarly, the Word of God should be precious to us.  We should love it and delight in it for its infinite value. The Word is a direct communication from the God of heaven and earth in which He reveals everything we need to know for time and eternity. His Word is the means of salvation and fellowship with Him. Therefore, we should devote ourselves to the Word; it should thrill, excite, and humble us at the same time. All the wealth of the world is insufficient to purchase the illuminating, redeeming, life-imparting power of God’s Word as encapsulated in His Book – the Bible.

Second, gold is worthy of being protected.  Valuable objects are not left lying around casually.  Gold owned by governments, for example, is kept under tight security. So should it be with the Word of God.  We should allow nothing to steal its essence from our hearts or to disturb our affection, reverence, faith, and obedience in the Word.  It is our sacred privilege and supreme responsibility to know, understand, believe, and obey God’s Word and to fend off any attacks, whether from within or without, that would steal His Word from our hearts and lives. We cannot be careless with God’s Word while guarding our precious physical possessions and lavishing attention and care on them. Do our actions evidence that the Word of God is precious to us?

Third, gold is displayed for its beauty and its value. A gold ring on the third finger of the left hand tells the world that one is married. Museums display gold figurines of various sorts. The Word of God should be on display – not the paper-and-ink pages between two covers, but living and active, as our lives are governed by the will of God as revealed in the Book.  Our character should be shaped by the transforming power of its truths.  Our public lives should be a rich, living display of its promises and exhortations.

Fourth, gold is very useful. As a commodity it is traded; as a precious metal it is shaped into objects of beauty. Just so, the Word of God demands full use: It must be read, studied, memorized, meditated on, believed and obeyed (Jos.1:8). If we value the Lord and if His Word is truly as gold to us we will devote ourselves to it.  Failure to do so dishonors our Savior and Lord and impoverishes us.