What God Values

Psalm 138:2 (ESV)

I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things

your name and your word.

            We live in a world where many people are debating among themselves what God values most. They debate God’s position on modern social issues, and claim to have understanding of the heart of God. They act as though they know what God would do with our circumstances.

            Sadly, in many of these discussions, one thing is lacking. What is it? The word of God seems absent from the methods being used by many pastors and scholars who are making big and sweeping statements.

            Notice in the verse above, however, what God says is of greatest importance. God has exalted, above all things, two things: his name and his word. God’s name is not only the word used to refer to him, but it includes his reputation or his glory. God’s word is, well, God’s word. We have that word in Scripture.

            So, how do we know where God would stand when it comes to a debate of difficult modern issues? How do we determine where God stands regarding the divisive issues regarding a modern view of sexuality and marriage? No matter how much we love our neighbors as ourselves and no matter how much we want to be loved by the world around us, we must not forget what God says is exalted above all things. God’s word is supreme. It is the Bible, not our emotions or opinions, which must direct our response to every issue. God’s word is sound. Culture, emotions, and human opinions are fickle.

            May we be, by the grace of God, a people who love God’s word in a way that is appropriate to the fact that God has exalted that word above all things. May we let his word direct every opinion we have.

            As I close, can I simply say that this is not a diatribe regarding the controversial issues of human sexuality and marriage redefinition that are going on right now. Instead, it is an example of the need for us to have a strong, non-moving, God-honoring standard. God has exalted his word above all things. What is word says, we should believe. What is word commands, we must do.