No respect, No Read

“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” (Ps 119:15 AV)

Value and respect are linked.  What we value, we respect.  What we don’t value, we don’t respect.  There is a difference between respect and honor.  We often use the two words interchangeably, but they are different.  We can honor an authority figure like a police officer, teacher, parent, employer, or pastor because of their position as an authority.  But that does not mean we respect them.  Respect is something that is earned.  Honor is demanded.  The New Testament uses the word ‘esteem’ to relate the same meaning.  In our verse, the writer’s respect for the word of God is the motive for his meditation upon it.  He treasures the word of God.  He respects the word of God.  Therefore, he treats it as something he cannot live without.

I like going to historical museums.  In my own home town, our little historical society had the world’s largest collection of Indian arrow heads.  It had a bedroom set once used by George Washington who had slept in that very room.  Chicago’s museum of Science and Industry is a must see.  Milwaukee’s Historical museum has a wonder exhibit of different cultures at the turn of the last century complete with unique (and pleasurable) smells what might have come from each culture’s neighborhood.  But one thing all these museums have in common is a small placard at the face of most exhibits that ask the visitor not to touch or disturb the exhibit.  One is welcomed to enjoy the exhibit and soak in all the information one can, but because it took countless hours of research and labor to construct such a display, the visitor is to respect the effort and value of the exhibit by not touching it.

We do not read nor meditate upon the word of God as we should because we do not respect it.  We do not hold it in high esteem.  To many, the Bible is just another book.  It may be a little more special than other books (so we feel), but it certainly isn’t at the level the preacher declares as so every Sunday.  The truth of the matter is, the word of God is His manifestation to mankind.  It is holy!  It is supernatural!  It is not just another book.  It is an extension of God Himself!  We don’t meditate upon it because we do not value, or respect, it.  And, this also suggests we do not value or respect the very God whom it declares.