Day 23: Psalm 119:97-120, meditation and joy

Mem
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. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. 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.
Samekh
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 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! 118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.
 
Meditation
Our prayer is for you to grow in love for the Lord of the Word shown by a more intimate love for the Word of the Lord. How do you know if you love the law, the word of the Lord (97, 113)? The Psalmist offers two categories for diagnosis, namely meditation and joy. What do you meditate on  (97)? What is the joy of your heart (111)?
 
“Meditation” is a constant surrounding with the affections of our hearts by way of reminder and reflection. Our culture meditates on money matters, celebrity status, news, sports, image, and experience. The heart of joy for our culture is personal comfort and pleasant circumstances.  How can we meditate on God’s word and have the joy of our heart be His law?
 
The doorway for a deeper love for the Word is relationship with “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14) and the One who is the “fulfillment of the law” (Matthew 5:17-20), Jesus Christ. He is the One who for “the joy” set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). His joy is you, the Church. When we know the Lord and His love more intimately we will more richly engage His word through meditation, finding Him to be the joy of our heart.
 
These sections offer many benefits for walking in the word of God: wisdom (98), understanding (99, 104), heritage (111), hope (114), and safety (117).  There are also several memorable images for the word of the Lord: a path (102), a light for our feet (105), and life support (107). We should celebrate these benefits and images but never see them as the goal- God is the goal and relationship with Him is the doorway for more faithful and fruitful love for His word. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-How does the unconditional love of the Lord for you, demonstrated in His covenant faithfulness on your behalf, change your affections for Him and His word?
 
-The Psalmist describes God’s word as “sweeter than honey.” (103) What is the sweetest love of your life? How can Christ Himself and His work grow your affection for His word? Often times our loves follow our feet. By this I mean we learn to love what we begin to practice. Spend time practicing meditation through reading, reflecting on, and reminding yourself of God’s word and watch your heart follow! Begin with the verses below, asking the Spirit to change your heart.
 
Key Verse
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.