The entrance and unfolding of His word

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Psalms 119:129   Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.  The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.  I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.  Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.  Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.  Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.  My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Proverbs 6:23     For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Luke 1:77-79   to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,  because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Acts 26:18     to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

2 Corinthians 4:4    In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 5:13-14     But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,  for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

2 Peter 1:19    And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

Proverbs 1:22-23    “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?  If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17     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.

“Let us not enter into the testimonies, as a dry task, or an ordinary study; but let us concentrate our minds, our faith, humility, and prayer, in a more devoted contemplation of them.” (Bridges)

“obedience in more than outward action; it was obedience in soul.”

“It is painful to remember how much light may be shining around us on every side, without finding an entrance into the heart.” (Bridges)

“The word finds no entrance into some minds because they are blocked up with self-conceit, or prejudice, or indifference; but where due attention is given, divine illumination must surely follow upon knowledge of the mind of God.” (Spurgeon)

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.