Discovering the joy of reading the word of God (Part 2) March 6, 2007
Posted by Han in : Relationship with God , trackbackPsalm 119 is the longest chapter in the bible. All together there are 22 parts. Each part consists of 8 verses. It is different from other Psalms. Other Psalms were penned from a response to a situation, circumstance or happening. But this Psalm is design to magnify the law and make it honorable. The word of God is here called by the names of law, statutes, percepts (commandments), judgment, ordinance, righteousness, testimonies, ways and word.
We have looked into the Psalmist’s discoveries and his experiences; now we want to move into the next 2 parts:
3) Commitment
The foundation in discovering and experiencing God through his word are commitment and prayer. Without commitment, we lack determination and discipline to study. Without prayer, we lack spiritual sensitivity.
Not all the time we are fervent and zealous in our walk with God. There are times when we are spiritually low. This is the time when we do not feel like praying and reading the word of God. During this time, we cannot stop but without any strong commitment we will only succumb to our flesh.
If we are committed, we will not be easily affected. We will not influence by our flesh; being lazy, tired or too busy. In fact, we have already trained ourselves to read the word of God in all circumstances.
There is one question to ponder before we move on. Why would the psalmist commit his entire life into following the word of God? Indeed, he realized that in Psalm 119:1-2,
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
The psalmist called those who walk in the way of the Lord blessed. Why would we want to commit our entire life into following the word of God? The answer can also be found in Psalm 1:1-3.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. WHATEVER HE DOES PROSPERS.
THEREFORE, DO WE NEED OUR PASTOR OR OUR LEADERS TO CONSTANTLY REMIND US TO READ IF WE REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WALKING ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF THE LORD?
Look at the Psalmist’s commitments:
1) I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. (v7-8)
2) I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (v10-11)
3) I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (v14-16)
4) I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. (v30-32)
5) I will always obey your law, forever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commands because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. (v44-48)
6) I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. (v58-60)
7) I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (v119:106)
8) I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. (v119:147)
9) Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. (v119:157)
4) His prayers
Jesus said the words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). And in 2 Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Prayer plays a vital role in reading the word of God. It’s spiritual. The Holy Spirit searches and sets our heart right with God. Next, our spirit man will be revived and our spiritual eyes and ears will only be opened.
1) Prayer puts us into the right spiritual condition
If there are any spiritual barriers like incorrect heart attitude, mind not focus and sins, then we will have difficulties receiving revelation of God. Therefore it is prayer that puts us into the right condition with God. The Holy Spirit searches our heart for wrong attitudes and sins. Of course we must cooperate and repent or else it will amount to nothing!
Examples: Wrong motives like gaining personal glory and fame. Wrong attitudes like unforgivesness, hatred, vengeance/revenge, hypocrisy and backbiting. Sins like disobeying the Ten Commandments.
If our spiritual condition is not right, our spiritual capacity is also limited. In fact, not only reading the word of God, we cannot pray also. Therefore we need revival, a touch from the Holy Spirit. In this case our bible reading will not be bored and uninteresting!
2) Prayer revives our spirit man
Indeed, the word of God is spirit and is life. We cannot use our human knowledge to understand the word of God. If we read it like reading newspaper, we will not receive anywhere. It has to be the Holy Spirit that enables us. He gives us the wisdom and understanding. Therefore we need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to revive our spirit man. Let us be sensitive to Him.
The psalmist saw the importance of prayers:
1) Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (v18)
2) Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (v33-37)
3) Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. (v124-125)
4) May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. (v169)
Conclusion
Reading the word of God is very exciting and interesting. I pray that you will discover the joy in reading the word of God. May God prosper and bless you when you follow and walk in His word.
All the Best,
Han
Related Article: Recognizing the voice of God
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