"WARNED AND REWARDED" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 6/17/25

“Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:11)

These are the words of “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” David was the composer of the great majority of the sacred songs which make up the hymn book of the ancient people of God. It would seem that a favorite theme for his sacred songs was the Holy Scriptures. The longest of his psalms by far is a powerful tribute to the Word of God. He counted the sacred Scriptures to be a treasure of inestimable worth - more to be desired than much fine gold.

Surely, we ought to praise God constantly for such a priceless treasure, especially considering what we have in comparison to what David had. David had in his possession the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. Had we no more of God’s Word than David had, we would, like Him, possess a treasure more to be desired than Gold, however what we have is even greater. We have a complete library, containing sixty-six books of Divine authorship - an infallible manuscript that contains all that we need for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. We have all that we need to make us perfect, that is complete, fully equipped, lacking nothing, thoroughly furnished. (II Tim. 3:16, 17) Let us join the sweet singer in praise to God for giving us His Word, which He has magnified above all His name. (Psa. 138:2)

The psalmist here mentions two things which made the Scriptures very dear to his heart. First, they served to discipline him by way of warning. Second, they offered encouragement, for in obedience there are rewards to be received.

The Scriptures warn us against evil. This is a necessary thing for us. We are so prone to wander and go astray that unless warned by God’s Word and Spirit we will walk contrary to the light of our built-in warning device known as the conscience. The conscience is essentially God’s law written on the heart of the creature by which he knows right from wrong. But God’s Written Word, we are told, makes sin appear exceeding sinful. Sin is sin, regardless, but when we see it written the voice of warning is given a megaphone. God’s Word is often like that red rectangular sign that one faces when attempting to enter the exit ramp from the interstate: Wrong way, do not enter! Failure to take heed to the warning can have devastating, even deadly, results. When we are heading toward danger, God’s Word says, that is the wrong way, “This is the way walk ye in it.”

God’s Word warns us concerning in duties and obligation. James, for example, warns about false faith, insisting that faith that is not seen in one’s actions is dead. In true faith, God works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13) John speaks very plainly on this matter, saying, “He that saith I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments is a liar.” Many nominal Christians need to hear this warning.

Scripture faithfully warns sinners to flee the wrath to come by fleeing to Christ for refuge. The trusting soul happily sings, “No other refuge have I but Thee.” God faithfully warns about the brevity of life, and the certainty of death, and that after death comes the judgment. That Christ is coming again is the blessed hope of the Church, but it should be seen as a warning to all who are yet unsaved. The Word of God holds forth heaven as the blessed eternal home of believers, but it also warns of a burning hell as the eternal abode of all who refuse to believe and be saved.

David sang the praises of God’s Word because it is filled with warnings, as should we. It is a loving God who warns His creatures about sin and its consequences. But David also rejoiced in the fact that in obedience to God’s commandments there is great reward. Notice, he does not say, “for keeping them,” but “IN keeping them.”  There is present reward in keeping God’s law, for righteousness is its own reward. Certainly, obedience to the Gospel brings the everlasting reward of eternal life. The Apostle Paul spoke the truth when he said that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”  (I Tim. 4:8)