Sweeter Than Honey

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. ESV Psalm 19:7-10

Have you ever encountered someone asking for advice that was really only interested in listening to someone who would tell them what they wanted to hear? Or maybe you even have a slight stubborn streak in yourself; able to recognize good advice but too stubborn to take it. I’ve got a little of that one in me.

When asking my mother’s opinion, she has replied to me more than once that “you’ll do what you want anyway.” Of course her statement doesn’t always hold true for me; especially the older I get. Amazing how time changes your outlook on things isn’t it?

The other day I offered some unsolicited advice to a friend. Without much thought he promptly replied that he didn’t “learn it that way” and admitted to being slightly stubborn and committed to continuing doing it his way. Frank Sinatra used to sing a song along those lines didn’t he?

Anyway, a day or two later I caught my friend taking my advice. Being the shy person [tongue firmly planted in cheek] that I am, I promptly inquired into his change of heart. He said that he may be stubborn and almost XX years old, but that he wasn’t too old to recognize good advice and give it a try. To which I had to admit, to my shame, that I don’t always accept good advice when I get it.

What about you? Do you seek and accept good instruction or do you prefer to do it your way? When it comes to daily living, do you seek out folks who’ll tell you what you want to hear or do you diligently seek out good advice? If you had a sure fire source of “never miss” advice, would you use it? That sure fire source is closer than you think.

You see, God’s primary way of communicating flawless, complete and timeless truth to us is through His word; the Bible. The Psalmist recognized this truth; look closely at our text. The Psalmist describes God’s instruction as perfect, refreshing, sure, upright, uplifting, pure, enlightening, timeless, true and more precious than fine gold; sweeter even than honey. Tell me, why would we ignore such a treasure? Why would we ignore testimony and precepts, direct from the Creator, sufficient to guide our every step?

The short answer I fear is that many times we would simply rather do things “our way.” But our way is not always the wise way and suffice it to say that there is never a bad time to accept wise instruction. The finest, wisest instructions available are found in the pages of scripture. Sure fire, never miss advice is near; what will you do with it?