Archives for July 2018

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:9-16

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Although this written about a young man, this is applicable to all of us.

Cleansing comes from God’s word. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are commanded to repent, and to continue to walk with God. We will not wander away from God if we are seeking God with our whole heart.

Next we need to memorize God’s word. If we hide God’s word in our hearts, we will be much less prone to commit sin. When we do, we will be immediately convicted of our transgressions.

Study God’s word. We need to ask God to teach us. God will illumine us when we are willing to learn.

Then observe what the Psalmist does. He declares, rejoices, meditates, and delights in God’s word.

These verses challenge us to study, memorize, and meditate on God’s word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

As we study this chapter, look for the names of the Word of God, and the application to our lives.

Psalm 119:1-8

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. ² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.⁴ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.”

If we want to be blessed in this life, we must live “undefiled” and “keep his testimonies”. Knowing the Word of God is the foundation for knowing God and His will for our lives.

Living undefiled, keeping his testimonies, seeking Him with our whole hearts, results in not being ashamed of God, praise, and a continued desire to follow God and His word.

Is this our desire? Is this our practice?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001