Psalm 119:152

Psalm 119:152 “Long ago I learned from Your statutes that You established them to last forever.”
 

Statutes distinctly mean a law laid down. It means an explicit law. It has to do with the divine order of things. David learned in his youth the need to obey God’s divine law. He had gone through many different trials because he did not explicitly obey the statutes of God. Now he refers back to days gone by and says, “Long ago I learned from Your statutes.”
 

As wise as David’s son Solomon was, he lacked the heart of his father. David was unique in that his heart was one of conviction. Solomon had wisdom. But not the same conviction his father had. 

In 1 Kings 3:3 we read about Solomon, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” The high places are the altars of idols. Solomon did what his dad did. He walked according to God’s statutes. However, he would not tear down the high places. He mixed godliness with ungodliness. 

Because Solomon lacked the same kind of intensity David had for pursuing God, his heart lacked conviction. He followed tradition. When a person follows tradition, they do things the way Mom and Dad did things. However, they also allow all types of other things in their life because they don’t have the same purity of heart. 

All of Solomon’s wisdom could not cause him to develop a heart like David’s heart developed out of a love for God and God alone. He was not taken up with lifestyle; he was taken up with the Author of life. 
 

Now let me encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse, as you do; consider whether you allow a little ungodliness to intermingle with your godliness.

Continued.