How to Look to Jesus --Part 3

As you know, over these past few weeks we've really been examining different ways we can fix our gaze upon the Person of Jesus Christ.  For me, these things can be so easy to allow to slip to the side.  But I know when I take the time to very purposefully place my eyes upon Jesus, the results are far greater than I have time to tell here.  I pray that the Spirit may move in your heart, drawing you to fix your gaze upon Him.

These suggestions are small ones, not as significant as the ones we have talked about already.  Nevertheless, I thought I would give them to you in the hopes that, in some small way, they might encourage you (and me while I am writing them!).

4. Journal

Although it's so easy to allow this to fall to the side (I speak from personal experience), recording God's faithfulness--in the little things and the big things--has been so instrumental in my walk with the Lord.  It helps me to be more aware throughout the day of what God is doing and saying so that I can write it down.  And whenever I am feeling discouraged or downtrodden, I can look back at those journals, the records of God's faithfulness, love, and mercy, and be encouraged.  There have been countless times when paging through those entries has lifted my spirits and my eyes to the One who loves me with an everlasting love.

5. Talk about Him with Others

This can be so beneficial!  When you gather with fellow believers (and even sharing the gospel with those who do not know the Lord), you will find that turning the conversation to the things of the Lord is so helpful to turning your gaze back to Him.  Even when the conversation is over I find myself reflecting on the things we have talked about and, in turn, praising the Lord.  Just try it!

This is all I have time for today.  Be encouraged my friend!  Consider your Savior, for He has bought you with an everlasting love and drawn you with His mercy.  This Gentle Savior is more amazing than anything this world has ever known!  Let us fix our eyes on HIM.

How to Look to Jesus

You may remember last Wednesday, when we looked at Peter's adventure on the water, where he looked straight at Jesus and had faith.  But when he took his eyes off of his Savior and gazed around him at the wind and the waves, his faith faltered.  I've been thinking a lot lately about just how important looking to Jesus really is.  But today, instead of diving into all the reasons why we should look to Jesus, I want us to think about some practical ways we *can* look to Jesus.

You see, saying "Remember Him" or "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" can sound good in theory, but I've found they can be rather hard to accomplish in practice.  So just what does these phrases mean? And how can we, on a practical, everyday basis, live with our eyes fixed upon the King of kings.

I made a little list in my journal, and would like to share some of those things here with you today.

1. Read the Scriptures  

Gloria K. made a good point in a comment she left on last weeks' article.  She said, "I'm convinced the only way to keep our eyes on Jesus is to constantly immerse ourselves in His Word."  This is so true.  I have found in my own life that when I make the effort to spend time at His feet in the Word each morning, my thoughts are more directed upon Him throughout the day.  But when I sleep in late, or get up and do other things, my day is more likely to be distracted and not centered upon Christ.

Another thing I have found to be helpful is to read the Scriptures throughout the day.  Have verses pasted around your house, on your computer/phone, in your school books--wherever you will see them often.  Even just pausing for 15 minutes during your lunch break to read the Scriptures can help your mind refocus on Him.  Imagine with me for a moment what would happen if we took every spare moment of our free time and spent it in the pursuit of God's Word--whether through reading it, or through meditating on it.  Wouldn't the results be amazing?!  Maybe, just maybe, you should try it.  =)

Now, it's one thing to read God's Words, and it is another thing to study the Scriptures.  When you spend focused time (at any point during the day) to study what God's Word has to say, making notes or looking up other verses to support it, etc. you will find the message sticking in your head in a much greater way.

2. Meditate on Verses from Scripture

I have found this to be one of the most effective ways to fix my thoughts upon the Lord.  When we meditate on verses of a nature that pertains to His character or what He has done for us, our thoughts are purposefully placed upon Him.  Let me tell you all something, this turning our eyes upon Jesus thing, it doesn't happen subconsciously.  It takes purposeful, planned out effort if you want to set your mind on things above.  It takes hard work, but in the end it is more than worth it. (P.S. I have found though that the more you purposefully look to Jesus, the more naturally it becomes. After a while you will find yourself inherently focusing on Him.

So meditating on specific verses of Scripture that talk about Who He is is a really purposeful way to fix the eyes of your heart upon Him.

Not only is it important to meditate on a particular verse or passage, it is also a good idea to look at the broader scope of things and remember the message of the gospel.  Reply what happened on the cross in your mind--while you're on a car ride, doing the dishes, or falling asleep--redeem the time when your mind is otherwise unoccupied to remember the cross and what Jesus did for you there.

Sadly, that's all we have time for today, but I encourage you to keep thinking about the practical ways we can fix our eyes upon Him. You're welcome to share with me in the comments or contact page; I would love to hear! I have more thoughts on this subject that I hope to share with you sometime soon!  Until then, may your eyes be ever fixed upon the face of your King.

Fix your Gaze Upon Jesus

Matthew 14:22-33:

"22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've been thinking about this story lately.  Peter saw his Lord coming and immediately was filled with great faith.  He stepped out on the water.  Notice at this point where his eyes are looking.  Toward Jesus.  But then what happened?

He took his eyes off of Jesus.

Oh my, the winds are great.  Oh, and the waves!  And as he began to look around him, his faith and his footsteps faltered.  He began to look around him at the things of this world, and immediately he lost his faith.  He lost his hope and sense of security.  Suddenly the wind and the waves seemed greater and more powerful than anything else.

How often are we like Peter?

We see God and we have great faith.  Our gaze is fixed steadily upon Him and we believe anything is possible.  But then (typically in our generation, this happens slowly and unconsciously) our gaze turns downward.  Look at those waves.  The wind blows so fiercely!  Our problems seem so big, and for some strange reason, our God seems so small.

We have lost our faith.  Why?  Because we turned our eyes off of Jesus.

My friends, how easy it is to allow our gaze to falter off of the King of kinds. The natural inclination of our flesh is to look at the things of this world.  But we must reject this inclination.  We must fix our eyes upon Jesus.

This is easy to think about conceptually, but what about practically?  How can we turn our eyes upon Jesus each and every day of our lives?

I've been thinking about this question a lot over the past few days, but I would like to give you a chance to think.  How do we fix our gaze upon Jesus?  You are welcome to share your thoughts below in the comments section or share privately through the "Contact" page.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

God's Word is our Great Reward --Part 2

Last Wednesday we began to examine the second part of Psalm 19:11.  This is the last verse in the study we have been doing on Psalm 19:7-11.  Let's review the line: 

“And in keeping them [God's commands] there is great reward.”

If you remember, we discussed the Hebrew word for keep (shamar). We also looked at the great reward that is awaiting us in heaven.

On top of all that though, we will also be rewarded here in this earth, although the measure is very small in comparison to the glory awaiting us.  Still, it is comforting to remember that our sacrifice for obedience does not go unnoticed and unblessed in this world.  James 1:25 grants us a small picture of what this means: 

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."

Joshua 1:8 also reminds us that if we will be careful to observe and do all the things written in the Scriptures, we will be prosperous and successful wherever we go.

I like what Thomas Brooks said,

The joy, the rest, the refreshing, the comforts, the contents, the smiles, the incomes that saints now enjoy, in the ways of God, are so precious and glorious in their eyes, that they would not exchange them for ten thousand worlds. 

Oh! if the vails, [Gratuities, presents] be thus sweet and glorious before pay-day comes, what will be that glory that Christ will crown his saints with for cleaving to his service in the face of all difficulties, when he shall say to his Father, "Lo, here am I, and the children which thou hast given me." Isaiah 8:18. If there be so much to be had in the wilderness, what then shall be had in paradise!

My friends, we cannot fully realize the benefits of keeping God's Words until we actually go out and do it.

The Motive

But honestly, although this is our reward, it is not our motive.  We keep God's commands 1) because He, the almighty, holy, and just God, commanded us, but also 2) because we love Him.  Jesus Himself established this as the way we can demonstrate our love for Him and our thankfulness for what He has done on the cross.  He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15)

A little later in that chapter He says:

"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” ~John 14:21

This is how we demonstrate how much we love God, by obeying His commands.  It's not merely forced upon us or something we "have" to do, keeping God's commands (Psalm 19:11) is something we do out of love.

2 John 6 says,

"This is love, [this is the way that we demonstrate our love for God] that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it."

The Keeping

It all comes back to obeying the commands.  Yes, we have a great reward awaiting us, and no that is not our purpose (love is), but whatever may be, we must keep these commands.  We must treasure them in our heart, guarding them in our minds, and obeying them with our actions.  My friends, God's Word is an ocean rich and deep with treasures.  Both within it's pages, and as rewards for obeying them.  But we must open the book.  We must apply ourselves diligently to it. And we must submit ourselves in obedience to it's commands.  Let us demonstrate our love for He Who gave His all for us by obeying His commands. We'll leave the reward in His hands, knowing however, that it will come, just as Psalm 19:1 has promised.

I leave you with this quote by Charles Spurgeon: 

"Then shall we know the value of the Scriptures when we swim in that sea of unutterable delight to which their streams will bear us, if we commit ourselves to them."

God's Word is Our Great Reward --Part 1

“And in keeping them [God's commands] there is great reward.”

Today we come to the line of the Scripture we have been studying for these past few weeks: Psalm 19:7-11.   I have so enjoyed studying God's Word with you and really diving deeply into our own heart responses to God's Word.  But let us dive into this last line, about the great rewards of following God's Words.

Before we look at what scholars call the "interpretation" and "application," let's take a look at observation--specifically, Hebrew words.

Hebrew Word for Keep

The word for "keeping" is the word "shamar."  I know that doesn't really mean anything to you, but as a Hebrew student myself, it is kind of cool.  :)  I'll even show you how it's spelled in Hebrew: שָׁמַר Pretty cool, hugh?  Anyway, the word shamar means "to keep, guard, observe, give heed."  It's the way you keep something in your mind (Genesis 37:11), or the way you keep a covenant (Genesis 17:9).  It also carries the idea of guarding (Joshua 10:18) and is translated that way in other passages.

This is how we are to treat God's Words.  We are called to keep them in our minds and to guard them from escaping our hearts.  More than that though, we are to observe them and give heed to what they say.  We are to obey God's Words.

The Great Reward

I'll be the first to admit that following in Christ's footsteps isn't always easy.  In fact, Jesus promised we would have trouble (John 16:33).  Although sometimes it may seem that we are in the loss, in the end, we will gain the greatest reward as we keep God's commands. We will one day be blessed beyond imagination.  Spurgeon says it well: 

“Oh the glory yet to be revealed! It is enough to make a man faint for joy at the prospect of it. Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Then shall we know the value of the Scriptures when we swim in that sea of unutterable delight to which their streams will bear us, if we commit ourselves to them.”

What wonderful blessings and rewards we have waiting for us in heaven!  We can not even imagine what great things God has in store for us there (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Unfortunately this is all the time we have for today.  Come back again on Friday to hear more about the rewards we have for obeying God's Word, but even more than that, our motive.  I'll see you then!

God's Word is Our Warning

“Moreover by them Your servant is warned...”

Let me provide you a little bit of context to the line of Scripture above so you can better enjoy its beauty and learn from the depth of its meaning:

"More to be desired are they [God's words, the Scriptures] than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward."

~Psalm 19:10-11

There is such knowledge found in the word of God. Through the Scriptures, we are warned of our depravity, our danger, our duty, and our remedy. The Bible is our mentor and our counselor. It is our guide and our helper. It sheds a light on the dangers of our path and shows us the right way to go. It warns us of that which might hurt us (although sometimes it seems pleasant when we first behold it) and provides something so much better for us. He is our Guard and our Gentle Shepherd, leading us in the way of everlasting.

I liked this commentary.  It was a good visible representation of the Bible's role in warning its readers:

A certain Jew had formed a design to poison Luther, but was disappointed by a faithful friend, who sent Luther a portrait of the man, with a warning against him. By this, Luther knew the murderer and escaped his hands. Thus the word of God, O Christian, shows thee the face of those lusts which Satan employs to destroy thy comforts and poison thy soul. —G. S. Bowes, B.A., in "Illustrative Gatherings for Preachers and Teachers."

Do we value and hold dear the warnings of the Scriptures as we ought? Our gentle Shepherd is leading the way to green pastures; do we hear His voice?  Do we follow His direction? Do we heed His warnings?

As you choose how you are going to spend your free time today, remember Psalm 19:11.  Will you choose to sit at the feet of your Guide and soak up His words of warning?

When you approach the Scriptures each day, remember that these words hold counsel and training.  They will teach you the way of life.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

A.W. Tozer Quote on the Bible

"Read it much, read it often, brood over it, think over it, meditate over it—meditate on the Word of God day and night. 

When you are awake at night, think of a helpful verse. 

When you get up in the morning, no matter how you feel, think of a verse and make the Word of God the important element in your day. 

The Holy Ghost wrote the Word, and if you make much of the Word, He will make much of you. It is through the Word that He reveals Himself. Between those covers is a living Book. God wrote it and it is still vital and effective and alive. God is in this Book, the Holy Ghost is in this Book, and if you want to find Him, go into this Book." ~A.W. Tozer

Delighting in God's Word

Yesterday, we were touched by the truth that God's Word is sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10).  And we were challenged to examine our own hearts.  Do we really treat God's Word as the most satisfying treasure on earth?

If we honestly examine our heart and find the answer to that question is "no" yet we want it to be, how do we learn to treasure God's Word?  How can we get to the point where we value God's Word and love to spend time in its pages.

Before we look at two specific ways we can learn to treasure God's Word more than our necessary food (Job 23:12), we must recognize and believe one truth:  even though we may not feel in our hearts that God's Word is sweeter than honey, we must know that it is.  God's Word is truth, whether our feelings align with it or not.  

1. Spend More Time Reading God's Word

If we want to see the rewarding God's Word is, we must spend time each day pouring over its pages.

Someone once said, "The longer you read the Bible, the more you will like it; it will grow sweeter and sweeter; and the more you get into the spirit of it, the more you will get into the spirit of Christ."

As we spend time studying and memorizing God’s Word, we will grow to love it more. I love using this analogy:  It has been said that we crave what we consume. If you are always eating junk food, the healthy things that are actually good for your body may seem flavorless. On the other hand, as you wean yourself of the sugarcoated food, the nourishing things like salad taste better and better. It is the same with His Word. The more you consume it by reading, studying, and memorizing, the more you will begin to see its value and long for more and more.

George Whitefield bears witness through his own personal testimony: 

"I began to read the Holy Scriptures upon my knees, laying aside all other books, and praying over, if possible, every line and word. This proved meat indeed and drink indeed to my soul. I daily received fresh life, light and power from above.”

Spend as much time as possible in God's Word.  I will warn you, this heart transformation won't take place at once.  But as you spend day after day after day pouring over the words of our precious Lord Jesus, you will find in them a sweetness you never knew possible.

2. Meditate on God's Word

I like the way Thomas Brooks has said it: 

“Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian.”

If we are merely rushing through our reading, we will not realize the full sweetness of the flower.

I encourage you friends, spend time in God's Word--reading, studying, and meditating.  You will find there-in treasures beyond comparison and sweetnesses beyond description.  For in the words of God you will find Christ.

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 

~Psalm 16:11

God's Word is Sweeter Than Honey

“Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

The line before this one provides some meaningful context. The entire verse (Psalm 19:10), says, "More to be desired are they than gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

Not only are God's Words more valuable than anything else on earth, they are also more rewarding, more pleasant.

As we continue our study of Psalms 19:7-11, consider the place God's Word holds in your life. Do you treasure it as more sweet than honey and the honeycomb?

Honey was considered the sweetest of all things and a luxurious delicacy in Bible times. God’s Word is like this; it is absolutely delightful, more pleasant than anything this world can imagine. It satisfies our cravings for good things as nothing else can. The Treasury of David says this, 

"The pleasures arising from a right understanding of the divine testimonies are of the most delightful order; earthly enjoyments are utterly contemptible, if compared with them. The sweetest joys, yea, the sweetest of the sweetest falls to his portion who has God's truth to be his heritage."

My friend, have you experienced the joy of God's Word in this same way? When you open the Scriptures, do you find your deepest longings satisfied?  Could you honestly say that God's Word is more valuable to you personally than the sweetest edibles? 

Jeremiah 15:16 says,

"Your words were found, and I ate them,And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart."

Do you love God's Words as the prophet Jeremiah does?  My friend, allow these questions to challenge you and penetrate your heart.

Tomorrow we will examine how God's Word can become sweet as honey to you, but for now...take some time to look into your own heart.  Ask yourself honestly, are the Scriptures full of joy to me?  Do I find in them delicacies beyond all comprehension?

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 

~Psalm 16:11

God's Word is Pure and Purifying

“The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;”

As we continue in our study of Psalm 19:7-11, we come to this phrase.  Let us examine God's Word with open hearts and allow this words to change our attitude about the beautiful Scriptures.

God's Word is Pure

No error defiles God’s Word, no sin pollutes it. It is clear, clean, sincere, as defined in the Hebrew. It is not mixed with any blackness, any untruth, any corruption. 

In our world, “pure” oftentimes isn’t completely 100% pure. But the Scriptures are. They are a thousand times more pure than anything we can imagine on this earth. It is free of any mixture of men’s inventions or the dross of corrupt knowledge (Charles Spurgeon). It is clear of all chaff and impurity. In all ways, it is perfectly pure. Listen to what David says about God's Word:

“The words of the Lord are pure words,Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,Purified seven times.” ~Psalm 12:6

The apostle Peter offers application: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).  Let us desire this 101% pure milk, for by it we will grow.  It is not defiled with anything that would hurt us, but will only teach and train us, purifying us even as it is pure.

God's Word is Purifying

God’s Words are the enlightening of our eyes. Oftentimes, we face a problem and we just can’t make sense of it. Something comes up and we don’t know what to think of it. But because God’s Word is completely pure itself, it can remove the layer over our own eyes.

God’s Word purifies our own thoughts, removing all the darkness and sin within our minds so that we might clearly see with His perspective. It enlightens us to our own sin and depravity, which we ourselves are often blind to. 

 God’s Word reveals even to us as believers sins we have not noticed, and outlines a way that we might repent and turn from our sins. It shares with us a message of hope, opening our eyes to the love of our Lord. Indeed, the Scriptures enlighten our eyes in so many ways.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." ~Psalm 119:105

Amen!  Let us take time to study this pure Word, because, even as it is pure, so it will purify our heart, our emotions, our minds, and our actions.  It will remove the sin, the dirt, and the grim.  It will cleanse us from the defiling worldviews of the culture.  Indeed, God's Word enlightens our eyes, giving us wisdom from above to know how God would have us to act and believe.  Let us devote ourselves to the Scriptures, my friends!

God's Word is Right and Brings Rejoicing

“The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;”

As we continue in our study of Psalm 19:7-11, we come to a line that makes me smile just reading it.  Let us meditate together on the riches and wonder of God's Word.

God's Word is Right

His precepts and statutes are founded in righteousness. It is just the right thing needed to free us sinners from the shackles of sin that have bound our hands and feet (John 8:32). A physician gives the right medicine and a counselor the right advice, so is the Word of God the “right” in everything. 

 The Hebrew word here means “straight, upright, correct, right; straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper.” The Word of God fits this definition by every scale of measurement. It is righteous, upright, and just.  It is straightforward.  It makes no mistakes or errors of information or accuracy.  In all issues, debates, or controversies, God's Word is right.

We can stand on the sure, rock-solid foundation of God's Word.  We can trust in it's accuracy and it's ability to give us the right wisdom and counsel for every circumstance.

God's Word Brings Rejoicing

God’s Words are the rejoicing of our heart. Notice the progression thus far. First, we are converted, then taught, and now we are made to rejoice. What a wonderful process! As we read, study, and learn from the Word of God, we come to love it and find our soul’s greatest joy in it. 

Indeed, this book has power to bring joy like no other! We may try to find happiness and satisfaction in other things, but only the Scriptures can really satisfy, only they can make our hearts joyful, truly joyful, always joyful.

Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts." 

Is God's Word the joy and delight of your heart?  Jeremiah had to seek out God's Word and seek His face.  Then he ate them--which is a physical phrase that represents the discipline of meditation.  As we chew on God's Words and really think about what they mean, they become to us the delight of our heart.  Let us meditate on God's Word so that we might find in it that joy inexpressible.

Here's another verse of David's that I like: "I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:162).  We rejoice when we read, study, and meditate on God's Word because we have found a treasure of limitless value. God's Word is precious and valuable.  It is a treasure-house of wisdom and knowledge.  It gives peace.  And most importantly, it brings life.  Such words are truly a treasure!

~~~~~~~

So today, because God's Word is right and true; because God's Word leads our heart to rejoicing, let us devote our time to its pursuit.  Let us spend time in the presence of the Lord pouring over the Scripture because we know His words are right.  And let us learn, as the prophet Jeremiah, to rejoice in the Scriptures, because they are the joy and delight of our heart.

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

~Psalm 16:11

God's Word is Sure and Full of Wisdom

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;”

As we continue in our study of the Word of the Lord through Psalm 19:7-11, let us look at this precious line from verse 7.

God's Word is Sure

The Lord has borne witness to many things--His creation, for example. He has laid down an account of these things in His Word for us. And we can know that it is sure. It is correct; it is infallible. God has borne testimony against sin; he has testified of our fall and our restoration. And it is sure.

The Hebrew for this word "sure" means “to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm.” And certainly that is what the Word of the Lord is. We have no reason to doubt, but can rather stake our entire lives on these truths; they will never fail us.

I like what Charles Spurgeon has to say about this topic:

"God's witness in his Word is so sure that we may draw solid comfort from it both for time and eternity, and so sure that no attacks made upon it, however fierce or subtle, can ever weaken its force. What a blessing that in a world of uncertainties we have something sure to rest upon! We hasten from the quicksands of human speculation to the terra firma of Divine Revelation."

God's Word Gives Wisdom

And this sure Word contains within its pages such knowledge and wisdom that even those who are babes might be made wise. It contains gems of truth that even a young one can understand. And through that understanding, they grow to be among the wisest of all. Again I like what Spurgeon says: "Humble, candid, teachable minds receive the word, and are made wise unto salvation. Things hidden from the wise and prudent are revealed unto babes. The persuadable grow wise, but the cavillers continue fools." Those who approach the word humbly and with a teachable spirit can learn the truths that will make them wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

When God's testimonies are our meditation and when we study His words, we gain wisdom that is greater than all earthly teachers, no matter how "smart" or good at learning we think we are!

"I have more understanding than all my teachers,For Your testimonies are my meditation.I understand more than the ancients,Because I keep Your precepts." ~Psalm 119:99-100

Isn't that such an encouraging thought though? God's Words can make you and I wise! They can give us the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding we need to navigate this crazy life.  

"But what is so amazing about wisdom?" you may ask.  

Solomon gives the answer so much better than I ever could:

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,   and the one who gets understanding,for the gain from her is better than gain from silver   and her profit better than gold.She is more precious than jewels,   and nothing you desire can compare with her.Long life is in her right hand;   in her left hand are riches and honor.Her ways are ways of pleasantness,   and all her paths are peace.She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;   those who hold her fast are called blessed." ~Proverbs 3:13-18

God's Word imparts this precious and life-giving gem called wisdom.

Psalm 119:130 reminds us, "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple."

Do we value God's Word for what it is --> faithful and dripping with wisdom?  Do we approach God's Word every morning seeking to learn from it's pages how we might live out our lives?  Do we recognize the surety and firmness of God's Word?  Do we live in light of this understanding?

May this new understanding of God's Word cause you to run closer to it that you may gain the wisdom from its pages.  It will never falter or fail. None of its words will return back void.

God's Word is Perfect and Powerful

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” ~Psalm 19:7a

Today let us look at this phrase from Psalm 19:7-11 as we study the beautiful passage. May the things we study move beyond mere head knowledge into heart knowledge. Let us together worship our gracious and merciful Savior Who has written us our own special love letter.

It is Perfect

God's Word is the instruction and direction of God. It is His holy order and rulebook. This law is perfect. There is no flaw within its pages, no contradiction to stain its words, no gap to hinder its holiness. 

This word "perfect" in the Hebrew means, "complete, whole, entire, sound; without blemish." Just think; if the law of Moses which David refers to is perfectly perfect in the greatest sense of the word, how much more so is the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation! 

These words, in their entirety, are complete. Nothing can be added; nothing subtracted. They completely share the message of the gospel of hope. They completely reveal the love of God and the mercy of Christ. Nothing could make it more whole and sound. It is, in every sense of the word, perfect.

It is Powerful To Bring Others to Him

It, God’s Word, is the one which accomplishes the work of converting souls. We try to come up with our own fancy speeches with illustrations, allusions, and other things to entice a crowd. We spend hours developing our own methods for evangelism. 

 Yet, the most effective tool for spreading the news of the gospel, is the gospel itself! The very Word of God! God’s Word has gone forth from His mouth and will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). It is living and active; it has the power to pierce hearts with its message (Hebrews 4:12). 

Think of the wisdom and power of God's Word if it has the ability to convert our souls.  With such a powerful tool, we have no need of anything else. It is God’s Word itself, not man’s commentary on God’s Word that will save. Keep this principle in mind as you speak with others (believers or non). Sharing the Word itself is more valuable than lecturing or exhorting with your own speech.  

It is Powerful in Our Own Lives

The Hebrew word "convert" means "to turn back; to bring back."  This isn't merely something that happens when  we become a Christian!  Our hearts (mind in particular) needs to be turned back to the Lord every day!  My mind and emotions can so easily be swayed by the things of the earth. There are so many things that grab my attention and pull me away from the King of kings.  

I need God's Word to bring me back to Him everyday!

And that's exactly what He has promised to do through His Word.  After all, He declares that His Word has the power to convert the soul.  However, He warns us, "Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you" (Psalm 32:9).  When we come to His Word with an approachable and teachable heart, it will accomplish that which the Lord sent it out to do.  Psalm 119:9 speaks of this same concept: "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."

Let us take time each morning to dig deep into the Word of God.  After all, it is perfect!  And it has the power to turn our hearts back to Him each and every day.  Let us also remember that the gospel message, spoken by our Savior Himself, has the perfect power to change souls.

Psalm 19:7-11

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

And in keeping them there is great reward."

~Psalm 19:7-11

We're going to begin a series of articles on this beautiful passage.  It's important to meditate on God's Word, and that is what we plan to do over the next few posts.  For now, take some time to meditate on these verses yourself. What do they mean?  Allow the truth of God's Word to soak into your heart and change the value you place on the Scriptures.  More to be desired are they than gold!

Pray that the Lord would open our eyes as we study His Word.  Let us seek His face together, knowing that in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Come and Be Satisfied

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live..."

~Isaiah 55:1-3

These three verses have been on my heart and mind today.  When I read them this morning for my daily Bible time, the Lord convicted my own heart that I often spend my time and sometimes even money for things that do not satisfy, instead of coming to drink at the river of life.

This "wine" and "milk" costs no money.  We do not have to do anything to earn it. We must simply preform two things 1) thirst, and 2) come.  The first is merely to acknowledge our weakness, our need for Him.  The second is, for some, harder. We must actually set down that time waster and come to seek His face.

And when we do, when we come to the waters and eat what is good, our soul will delight itself in abundance.

What is this food and drink talked of here?

Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit being like water: "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given,because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39).

Jesus also speaks of Himself as the bread of life: 

"For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always." 

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ~John 6:33-35

Other verses in the Psalms too speak of God satisfying us through Himself:

Psalm 36:8 -- “They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You [O Lord] give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.”

Psalm 103:5 -- “[God] Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Psalm 16:11 -- “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

God offers to satisfy us if we will come to Him.

But what does this look like on a practical level?

First, we must leave all else behind to follow Him. We must no longer spend our wages (our time and our talents) for that which is not bread. Anything besides the Lord Jesus will not satisfy us. Examine the way you spend your time. Is it in doing things that will bear eternal spiritual fruit? Or do you whittle away time on social media, phones, or the television? Do you spend hours reading fictional novels, or doing pretty much nothing with friends all day. Walk away from these things and choose to come to Jesus.

Second, come to Him!  Spend time in His Word. We cannot spend a few minutes each day in God's Word and except to be completely satisfied for the entire day. Your physical body requires that you feed it three or more times a day! It is not satisfied with one quick, five minute feeding. Such is the case in our spiritual lives as well. God's Word is our food (Matthew 4:4) and we must spend time in God's presence (through His Word) to gain a fuller picture of Who He is. When we do, we will experience the joy that is found in His presence!

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live..."

~Isaiah 55:1-3