Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.
Psalm 119:24

There are a great many distractions for us in this life, and an endless array of things that we can delight in. Sadly, we can easily allow the temporary delights of this world to absorb so much time that we could not possibly delight in God’s word. Of course, we would generally claim that God’s word is a priority in our lives, but our schedules reveal the truth.

To delight in God’s word is to value it. It is not a resource to be used as needed. It is a precious treasure that we enjoy as often as we possibly can. The other delights of this world pale in comparison to the joy we find in learning God’s word.

Far too many people see the reading of God’s word as the ultimate goal. Yet that is far from the truth. As we study through Psalm 119, the psalmist’s perspective of the value of God’s word becomes increasingly clear. In this particular verse, the psalmist expresses His dependence on God’s word, God’s testimonies, as his counselors.

In other words, he recognizes the value of God’s word in his daily life. He is not reading to satisfy an obligation, he is reading to understand and bring his life into conformity with God’s word.

With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.
Psalm 73:24

We must ask ourselves whether or not we truly delight in God’s word. If we do not delight in God’s word, then who are our counselors?

The nation of Israel was soundly rebuked because they had God’s word and yet did not benefit from its counsel:

They quickly forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but craved intensely in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
Psalm 106:13–14

Keep in mind that the psalmist is facing extreme opposition as he pens these words. Rather than be overwhelmed by the circumstances he is facing, he chooses to continue to delight in the word of God and to trust the counsel that God gives through His word.