“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches.” (Ps 119:14 AV)
This is quite a remarkable statement. All riches? Really? Not simply rejoicing in God’s testimonies, but in the way of those testimonies. In other words, our sweet psalmist says that he rejoices in living in obedience to God’s word more than the joy he would receive in all possible riches of the world. Another interesting observation here is our writer seems to live so that the joy of faith and obedience can co-exist with the joy of all riches. Note the phrase, “as much as in”. This suggests our writer was materially blessed, and he enjoyed those blessings; but the joy he received in obeying the LORD was equal or greater. This means that blessings and obedience can indeed co-exist. We do not have to be completely destitute in order to enjoy a life of rejoicing before the LORD. It is all a matter of balance.
Everyone gets the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes entry either in snail mail or in their email in box. There are dozens of things to win. From the Jackpot down to a small $50 gift card, the entries are numerous. You are bombarded repeatedly. Who hasn’t, in a moment of weakness, begin to dream about winning such riches? Maybe the reader has gone so far as to enter a time or two. He or she dreams about what they would do with such a windfall. Of course, ten percent must go to church. LOL. After that, we think of how much we will have to pay in taxes and what would be left to invest or spend. We dream of a retirement home. A new car or truck. Maybe a house that would work better for our needs. We think of family and how to care for them. We wonder if investment is important, or if we simply choose to spend it all in one big spend. We may dream of an ideal reno project, a large charity donation, or simply tucking it away for a rainy day. It is natural to dream of blessings. But what if they never came? Would we still be as content? Do we anticipate the words of God and an opportunity for obedience resulting in joy? Or do we see the words of God as tedious and unsavory?
Our writer compares obedience to hitting the lottery. He compares compliance to finding the national treasure, so to speak. He states that his joy comes from obedience and faith and that even if he were to inherit all riches, it would not replace the joy he feels at pleasing the LORD. Because they can co-exist without compromising the joy that he feels by faith and obedience, he can see all the riches as something to use rather than something to consume. All the riches of which he speaks are in the context of obedience and faith. That is why all the riches are not a burden to him. This is why all the riches are not something he must deal with in resentment or fear. They may be great, but it all belongs to God and must be used for God’s glory! Wealth, in and of itself, cannot make a person permanently happy. I have caddied for some of the wealthiest of the Chicago area, and I can tell you, they are not the most joy-filled bunch on the planet. Those who have chosen to live according to God’s perfect law are. They have learned that pleasing God is the whole point of existence. Wealth can co-exist. But wealth cannot replace humble obedience and trust toward God.
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