Meditate – Praying Pint

53.b. Joshua. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Jos 1:7-8  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Deuteronomy 5:32    You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Proverbs 4:27      Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Deuteronomy 12:32    “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Proverbs 8:20      I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

Deuteronomy 29:9   Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

1 Kings 2:3   and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,

Proverbs 3:1    My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

Psalms 1:2-3   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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalms 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalms 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

James 1:22   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

“There is sure to be a right hand, there is sure to be a left hand, and both are probably wrong. There will be extremes on either side. I believe that this is true in ten thousand things in ordinary life, and also true in spiritual things in very many respects.” (Spurgeon)

Meditation, the familiarising ourselves with the ethics of Scripture, and with the hopes and powers that are treasured in Jesus Christ, so that our minds are made up upon a great many thorny questions as to what we ought to do, and that when crises or dangers come, as they have a knack of coming, very suddenly, and are sprung upon us unexpectedly, we shall be able, without much difficulty, or much time spent in perplexed searching, to fall back upon the principles that decide our conduct-that is essential to all successful and victorious Christian life. (MacLaren)

The Word of God read with a seeking and desire to know more and more of His Holiness, meditated upon, and thereby expressed in what we think, say, and do, requires our hearts and minds to have an intentional choice of focus – To Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ. There is so much busyness in life to pull us away from reading and meditating on God’s Word. We turn to the left and right many times a day because we have lost focus on our purpose to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. We follow paths left and right because the Word of God is void in our hearts and minds. We turn left and right because we have become lukewarm. We turn left and right because we lack discernment between that which is godly and holy and that which is worldly and fleshly. We turn left and right because we follow after those who lead us down wrong paths with their crafty words. We turn left and right because ……….. There are as many reasons as there are people.

What if the opposite were true

We stay on the narrow path because it honors and glorifies our Savior. We stay on the narrow path because we find hope and strength in God’s Word. We stay on the narrow path because of our love for God and His Word. We stay on the narrow path because we delight in His precepts and commandments. We stay on the narrow path because we hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit leading us and giving us discernment. We stay on the narrow path because our eyes have focused and fixed on Jesus Christ. We stay on the narrow path because we find peace, hope, love, joy, mercy, grace, strength, and rest.

There is much out there that will entice you and consume your time and try to pull you left or right of the narrow path of obedience and reliance on Jesus Christ. We choose to allow this to happen or not. It is sometimes an intentional choice where we are nudged by the Holy Spirit to read and study and think about God’s Word, and we choose to say no. Other times it is just because our lives have become so busy and consumed with other stuff it is just a by-product of neglect and complacency towards God’s Word. Either way, it is an intentional choice to read, study, and meditate upon God’s Word or not.

37.e. ” I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds”

Genesis 24:62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Joshua 1:8    This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalms 1:2     but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 77:11-12    I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalms 104:34   May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalms 119:15     I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalms 139:17    How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psalms 143:5  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

To meditate; think, pray, remember, reflect, weigh, ponder, consider, deliberate, be in a thoughtful state – think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence – to think deeply or carefully about (something). Isaac went out into the field away from what might distract him to meditate, on what we are not told. Was it about the loss of his mother, the servants mission for a wife for him, God’s supplying a sacrifice, what his father Abraham had told him about God and God’s promises, God’s creation, etc….. we do not know. He went to the field to meditate away from that which should distract him. There were no city lights dimming the ability to see the stars, sounds of cars and trucks on nearby roads, no city night sounds – he set himself in a place without distraction so he could meditate.

We, very seldom, can get away from distractions. Children, spouse, lights, noise, phones, computers, TV, radio, neighbors, etc….. Most of the time our only time to meditate is when our head hits the pillow and we soon fall fast asleep. If we are honest many times our meditation is about worry, fear, anger, pride, greed, lust, confusion, projects, timelines, family, finances, sickness, etc…. Things of this world that overwhelm, consume, and distract us. Why is this? Why do we find it almost impossible to meditate on the things of God? Why is this concept so hard to grasp? It is the busyness of life and it consumes our hearts and minds. It distracts us from the things of God. Test me on this. See if this is not true. Shut off your computer, phone, or tablet, and for the next 10 minutes meditating on the things of God and His Word.

Where did your mind want to wander too? Were there thoughts other than the things of God and His Word grabbing your attention? It is not impossible, it just takes training. To start;

Try praising God and worshiping His greatness.
Try to picture His leading throughout the day.
Give thanks for who He is, what He has given, and what He has promised.
Thank Him for His Word
Think about His Word
Confess and repent
Place your burdens in His hands
Seek His discernment for your tomorrow
Ask Him to lead you in all you say, think, and do so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified

It is not so much about finding time, but rather making time for meditation on God and things of God. I am not talking about a minute here or there throughout the day (though this should happen). I am talking about time set aside and purposed for meditation on God and things of God. Whatever is prioritized will find the time. Do me this favor. For one week (7 days straight) prioritize 10 minutes for meditating on God and things of God. Do not do this in bed. Go to the basement, garage, bathroom, back deck, wherever, and set your mind to this. I am more than confident that after 7 days you will find value, benefit, comfort, joy, faith, hope, and peace growing more and more each day. It will be a time of refuge and refreshing for your soul.

27.p. “I will remember Your wonders and mighty deeds”

Psalms 77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people,

I will remember Your wonders, I will ponder all Your work, and I will meditate on Your mighty deeds, more than indicate that when we are in a seemingly dry spiritual or physical state if we would but turn our minds to dwell on God and who He is and what He has done we would find an abundance of hope. (Mcalaren) wrote; “Memory supplies the colors with which Hope paints her truest pictures.” (Spurgeon) wrote; “Memory is a fit handmaid for faith.” Remembering God’s power is unhindered and unlimited we can have hope and faith in times of trouble, confusion, fear, worry, and anxiousness. We are encouraged when we remember and meditate on the greatness of God. When we turn our minds away from that which troubles us and turn them to dwell on God’s unhindered and unlimited power, and we remember all that He has done, that which troubles us and darkens the light of hope in our hearts becomes lost in the glorious light of His power, might, grace, love, mercy, and strength. It is hard for us to turn our minds away from the physical and emotional worries that seem to at-will punch us in the gut. Yet, when we take these thoughts captive (when we recognize them) and set them aside and begin to take full focus on God, who He is, what He has done, what He is limitless to do, our hearts and minds find peace, joy, and hope.

26.k. “I have chosen the way of truth”

Paslms 119:25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.

Revival comes from a sense of spiritual need and lowliness. In the Biblical and historical sense, true revival is marked by a shamed awareness of sin and an urgency to confess and make things right. God uses His word in bringing revival. “Can each one of us now say, in this sense, ‘I have declared my ways’ to the Lord? For this should be done, not only at our first coming to him but continually throughout the whole of our life. We should look over each day, and sum up the errors of the day, and say, ‘I have declared my ways,’ – my naughty ways, my wicked ways, my wandering ways, my backsliding ways, my cold, in different ways, my proud ways.’” (Spurgeon) The psalmist understood that he needed more than knowledge; he also needed understanding. With both, he would meditate on God’s wonderful works. With a deep understanding, we will go beyond a mere understanding of the words to a Spirit-led understanding of what they reveal about the nature of God, the gospel, and God’s ways.” (Boice) If we are to be kept from sin, it must be by the grace of God exercised through the teaching of his Word.” “Men do not drop into the right way by chance; they must choose it, and continue to choose it, or they will soon wander from it.” (Spurgeon) The psalmist understood that if he were to give himself entirely to God – to cling to His word as a shipwrecked man clings to a floating plank in the sea – then he could trust that God would not allow him to be put…to shame. This was well-placed confidence. “Having once chosen our road, it remains that we persevere in it; since better had it been for us never to have known the way of truth than to forsake it when known.” (Horne)

1.c. Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

1 Chronicles 16:8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,

Isaiah 12:4    And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.

1 Corinthians 1:2   To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalms 145:5-6    On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.  They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

Psalms 78:3-6    things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

1 Kings 8:43   hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you,

Give thanks, call upon His name, and make known his deeds – these are actions a person who has given their whole heart, mind, and soul to God will do. When we call upon His name we are honoring and recognizing God as the all powerful, all loving, one and only God who can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. We demonstrate that deep within our heart and soul and mind we trust in, cling to, and rely on God in all things. When we call on Him we are surrendering our trust in self to trust in God. When we call on Him we acknowledge that He is able to protect us. strengthen us, guide us, and give us peace in the midst of the storms of life. We give thanks to Him for what He has done, what He is doing, and for what He has promised to do. He alone is our heart and mind meditating on. Giving thanks to God keeps us humble because we see the hand of Him in our life and do not take credit for it ourselves. We make known these acts of God because we love Him and cannot contain the awesome and majestic work He has done in our life.

If we are no calling on God, we will not have reason to give Him thanks, we will have no reason to make known His deeds. In other words we are being nothing more than those who spoke of God with their lips but their heart and minds were far from Him.

53. That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Deuteronomy 17:18 “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Joshua 1:8     This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalms 1:2     but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 119:97-100    Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

2 Timothy 3:15-17     and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

There are benefits to obeying God in reading His word and keeping it close to your heart and mind. Your faith will grow, you will begin to mature in things of God, you will recognize when you are being temped, you will recognize and become aware of sin in your life, you will begin to know the will of God for your life, you will begin to understand and experience joy, you will begin to hear the quiet whispers of God’s leading, you will begin to see the spiritual warfare in the world, you will have a better chance of not backsliding or drifting away, and you will begin to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow, and obey God.

There really are no down sides to cherishing and reading God’s word each and every day of our life. However this are numerous downsides when God’s word is not cherished in your heart and read everyday.

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds

Genesis 24:63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.

Joshua 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalms 1:2  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 77:11-12  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalms 104:34  May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalms 119:15  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalms 139:17-18  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!  If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalms 143:5-6  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

I was looking at things I have subscribed to for awhile and then I find that they are of no longer an interest. I unsubscribe and this is a natural consequence of no longer having time or interest.

This got me to thinking about God and His word, His plan, His purpose.

Are there times when I “unsubscribe” to His word, His leading, His whispers, His angels, His direction, His power, His grace, His discipline, His mercy, His plans, His help, His refuge, His message, His joy, His hope, His safety, His encouragement, His strength, or His love????? Do I see the affects of “unsubscribing”?

Busyness has a way of eroding away commitment (subscribing). There never seems to be enough time to keep God first and be able to stay on top of all the busyness.

We need to be mindful of things in our busy lives that take over being intentionally subscribed to God.

When it comes to “subscribing” commitment to God there is an eternal consequence of “unsubscribing” this commitment. The erosion of commitment is slow at first and recognized but before long it slips away and what we are changing into, or what we are lacking is blocked by the cares of this world and the busyness of the day. Our lives are soon changed.

Change comes in the the form of pride, self help, self satisfaction, wanting more, needing more, having more and never being satisfied, lack of joy, hope, courage, strength, peace, and rest. The problem is that we become to blind to see God leading us and to deaf to hear God speaking to us. We end up on a path void of knowing or understanding and lose purpose in life.

Unsubscribing from God never ends well. Stay in His word. Meditate on it always. Subscribe to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey God.

Treasures of Hope

Psalms 119:145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes. I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true. Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.

The Psalmist passionately depended on God and His word, but that did not eliminate the participation of the Psalmist in any way. He still woke early to seek God, in prayer (cry for help) that was helped by God’s word (I hope in Your word).

i. “So long as the duty only of prayer is known, we shall be content with our set seasons. But when the privilege is felt, we shall be early at work, following it closely morning and night.” (Bridges)

“The word furnished his hope, and his hope his prayer.” (Trapp)

We use prayer in our study of the word of God; this is essential. Yet we also use the Word of God in our prayers. In prayer, the Word of God shows us:

· The nature and heart of the God we pray to

· What we have received from God, and should thank Him for

· His greatness, informing and expanding our praise

· His moral will, directing us to pray that we can do it

· His promises to His people, which we claim by faith

· Substance for our prayers, as we pray-read the Scriptures

Being diligent in prayer will never leave us destitute of hope. It is refreshing to know that prayer soon refreshes our heart, mind, and soul with hope, new hope, dependent hope, expectant hope, lasting hope, satisfying hope, delivering hope. This hope is grounded, established, and grown by faith in God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

What is it that we hope for? What is it that occupies our thoughts? What are those longings we seek in the depth of our heart? Is it to know God, serve God, be used by God, to follow God, to honor God, to glorify God, to obey God???

We do well to give no more than a glance at the the distractions of the world around us and intently focus on the treasures of hope in His word.

Waiting in Faith

“but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.”

Psalms 119:121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

Psalms 119:81-82 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

Psalms 69:3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

Psalms 130:6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Psalms 143:7 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

Lamentations 4:17 Our eyes failed, ever watching vainly for help; in our watching we watched for a nation which could not save.

Psalms 63:6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalms 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.

Lamentations 2:19 “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!

Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

“He looked to God alone, he looked eagerly, he looked long, he looked till his eyes ached. The mercy is, that if our eyes fail, God does not fail, nor do his eyes fail.” (Spurgeon)

This waiting expectation shows us that faith came before experience. The Psalmist was willing to have faith until the experience came, and would wait for God’s salvation, and wait as long as it took.

The Psalmist wanted understanding; but not so much to know the future or some hidden secrets of his soul or that of someone else. He wanted this understanding so that he would know the testimonies of God better.

There is much that confuses us, but none more than the interference of waiting, in faith, for God’s plan and purpose. Waiting is good, for it keeps our heart, mind and soul desiring and seeking to see God’s provision. Waiting takes faith.

In our waiting satan will throw many temptations of action our way – none of which, if acted upon, are going to be in line with God’s will for us. Our actions, apart from those being God directed, in a time of waiting will never satisfy or fulfill the need we seek

Though it does not seem like it, waiting is action – Action of the heart and mind committed and purposed to see, hear and understand the will of God.

In waiting faith we grow anticipation of God’s action. The best place to be while waiting, is in His word feeding on His promises, grace, mercy, strength, power, and steadfast love. It is in our waiting that we hear more clearly the whispers of His quiet small voice leading and confirming action to come.

Not my will Lord God, but yours. Your plans are perfect for my life. Your timing is faultless.

I acknowledged my sin to you

Psalms 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Psalms 71:17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalms 38:18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

Psalms 51:1-19 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

“Can each one of us now say, in this sense, ‘I have declared my ways’ to the Lord? For this should be done, not only at our first coming to him, but continually throughout the whole of our life. We should look over each day, and sum up the errors of the day, and say, ‘I have declared my ways,’ — my naughty ways, my wicked ways, my wandering ways, my backsliding ways, my cold, indifferent ways, my proud ways.’” (Spurgeon)

Sin seems to find new and creative ways into our heart and mind. None of us are immune to it. None can stand before God and declare I have no sin. Turning a blind eye to God’s word, leading, whispers of teaching, warning, insightful revealing of His word should give no sense of calm to our soul. Neglect and complacent approach to His word allows a thick cloud to form over wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God, His holiness, and our purpose – “To humbly serve, honor, follow and obey.”

God’s word speaks to the heart and soul of those who will listen. It has the power to open our eyes to holiness and sin, forgiveness and renewal, weakness and power, sadness and joy, helplessness and courage, anxiousness and peace, wisdom and understanding, humbleness and pride, all for the purpose of knowing, serving, honoring, following and obeying God.