I have a question for you before we get into the Word today. When YOU study the Word, do you study it for the purpose of obeying it? When you see something to do in the Word, do you seek Holy Spirit Wisdom for how it applies to your own life? If we study simply for knowledge, we will never attain to it because the Word of God only has power when it is put into action! Simple memorization of the Word has no power at all. There is nothing wrong with memorization unless that is the only thing you do with the Word. John 15:7 tells us this:
If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Meditation of the Word, as in Joshua 1:8, gets the Word IN you and shows you how to DO the Word!
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
AMEN! Do you see the difference? Make the Word your 'vital necessity' and the Word will work for you! So, let's see what we can put into practice! We read Psalm 47 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. Here it is:
1 O clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy! 2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the glory and pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 God has ascended amid shouting, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding. 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne. 9 The princes and nobles of the peoples are gathered together, a [united] people for the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.
As you meditate on this Psalm, begin to do what it says to do!- Clap you hands
- Shout to God in triumph (For HIS provision!)
- Shout songs of joy
- Pause and think (meditate, ponder) what the Word is saying to YOU
- Sing praises - again and again and again
- EXALT Him! (Give Him the top priority in your life)
As you begin to approach the Word of God with this attitude and commitment, the Word will come alive to you as never before! It will make SO much sense that you will find yourself wondering why everyone doesn't see it as clearly! Remember, though, that there is no standing still in the Word. We must be continually committed to have the understanding continue to come! I wouldn't want a day without the Word of God. After all, it is the ONLY real TRUTH! (John 17:17) Here is Hillsong Worship with "Your Word":
Shalom in Him!
