“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. “ Psalm 19:7-10
I don’t think there is anything more important for the child of God than understanding the importance of God’s Word. It is not just another book, nor is it some kind of science or history or social studies manual, even though it contains elements of those things. The main purpose of the Scriptures is to bring us into a closer relationship with God.
The Old Testament may seem like just a bunch of stories or some history, but God uses those books to speak to us about His plan for man’s redemption, and about His character. Our faith and trust in God are increased as we take time to study God’s Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
The 19th Psalm gives us some thoughts about the Scriptures and the effect of them on our lives. I think that verse 10 gives us the important conclusion. The value of God’s Word is beyond mere worldly wealth and sweeter than honey. This should grab our attention. If I told you that I have something that can increase your bank account by three times, it would probably grab your attention.
While I realize that we need money in this world, and we make use of worldly things for our survival here, there is something mush more important that we should seek after. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Spiritual wealth (accumulated in heaven) is far more important. Life is short, but eternity is very long.
Let’s notice some of the characteristics of the Scriptures.
1. Perfect – God’s Word is perfect (complete). Everything we need from God will be found in His Word. I want to mention here that the Bible does not answer every single detail you can think of. It would be enormous. However, it does contain the information we need to address every single detail. God gives us principles to guide us. More importantly, everything that you need to know to turn you towards God is there. The entire purpose of God’s Word is to turn us to Jesus.
2. Sure – This speaks to us about support. A little like a foundation. It is a moral, spiritual foundation that is steady. This will make us wise. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15. Not the wisdom of the world. This wisdom is spiritual wisdom which supersedes the wisdom of the world.
3. Right – “Straight” which means that they are correct and proper, and this rejoices our heart. Why? Because that which is straight is constant and easy to see and follow. More and more I have come to realize the simplicity of God’s Word and how important that is. The world’s philosophy and guidance is all over the place. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128. Knowing what God says is what matters most. God is the One who will judge all things, so what man thinks is irrelevant.
4. Pure – This refers to something that is clean or not adulterated. I also can refer to something that cleanses. Both of these meanings are perfectly applied to God’s Word. We can be certain that it is not adulterated with the philosophies and ideas of the world. We can also be assured that it will cleanse us if we lay hold of it. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:26. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere (pure, unadulterated) milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1Peter 2:2.
“Enlightening the eyes” refers to the ability to give us wisdom and discernment. Through God’s Word, we can clearly see the way ahead of us. We can clearly see the stumbling blocks of the world. We gain discernment in all issues of our life.
5. “The fear of the LORD is clean” – This phrase does not directly refer to the Scriptures, but reminds us that this is the beginning of wisdom which is what we just read above. This word “clean” speaks of ceremonial cleanness. The “Fear of the Lord” refers to a true understanding of Who God is, and the reverence that comes from that. The fear of the Lord is not just some words from our mouth. It is demonstrated in our actions. It brings about a change that is eternal. We will for eternity worship God in absolute reverence.
6. True and righteous – “true” is about correctness, or trustworthiness. God has proven His Word to be trustworthy. Everything He has promised, He has done. We can also ascertain that His Word is correct. When comparing our lives to what we find in the Bible, we realize that it is certainly correct. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Psalm 18:30. “So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.” Psalm 119:42.
God’s Word is all of these things and more. It is of utmost value to those that know. If we are going to have a personal relationship with Jesus, we must spend time studying God’s Word. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. Jesus makes it very clear that we will find Him in the Scriptures. If we are trying to find something else there, we are looking for the wrong thing.
I pray that you find the sweetness of honey when you get into God’s Word.
The word “trust” occurs 152 times in the Old Testament. The New Testament equivalent of “trust” is “faith.” The different Hebrew words which have been translated as “trust” have four basic meanings: 1) “to lean on,” 2) “to take refuge,” 3) “to roll on” or “to roll oneself upon,” and 4) “to stay upon.”
It is interesting to note that the center verse of the whole Bible is written about “trust.” That verse is Ps. 118:8: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” The meaning of “trust” in this verse is “to lean on.” The basic idea of this word is “firmness and solidity.” In other words, it refers to something that is solid enough to lean on.
Another verse which expresses the idea of “leaning” is Prov. 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” We must lean on the Lord and not ourselves.
Now I would like to use an example from the physical body to illustrate the meaning of this verse more clearly. If a person falls and suffers a broken hip, then they must undergo physical therapy after surgery to learn how to walk again. They will require the use of a walker to lean on to help support their weight on the injured leg and to help maintain their balance in order to keep from falling. The walker must be sturdy, and the person must be instructed in how to use it properly. In addition, the person must trust that the walker will support them.
However, some patients never learn to walk again after a broken hip because they are fearful that they will fall again. They are afraid to put their full trust in the walker. As a result, they are hindered in their ability to walk. Likewise, our Christian walk is hindered if we have a lack of trust.
Learning to lean on a walker with all of your weight is like learning to lean on the Lord with all of your heart. We must realize that spiritually, we have no strength of our own or ability to walk without leaning upon Him. We cannot lean on our own understanding. It will not hold us up. If we are not trusting the Lord completely, then we will always have fear of falling.
Notice that the verse in Prov. 3:5 instructs us to trust the Lord with all of our heart, not just a part, not just half-heartedly. We are to first acknowledge our weakness and our need for God’s strength, and then we must lean fully upon Him. We cannot be victorious in our Christian walk or in our trials if we do not lean upon the Lord and trust him completely. If we put our trust in ourselves instead of the Lord, we will fall.
Today, if you are currently going through a time of weakness, a time of testing, a wilderness experience, and find that all of your strength is gone, then I encourage you to lean upon your Beloved, as the Shulamite did in S.O.S. 8:5: “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved…” Who is this Shulamite? She is the picture of the Bride of Christ.
The bride recognizes her need for the strength of her Beloved and leans upon him, not just in times of testing, but in her everyday experiences. She trusts Him with all of her heart and knows that she can safely lean upon Him. But she also leans upon Him simply because of her love for Him, even as John leaned upon Jesus breast.
In Ruth 2:12 we find the second meaning of the word “trust,” which is “to take refuge.” These are the words of Boaz, to Ruth: “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth’s testimony was that she trusted in the Lord and took refuge in Him, under His wings.
We, too, can be safely sheltered under His wings when we take refuge in the Lord and trust Him completely, as is declared by the psalmist in Ps. 91:2,4: “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” ... “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust...”
The third meaning of the word “trust” in the Hebrew is found in Ps. 2:2. This psalm is a Messianic psalm regarding the crucifixion of Christ. Verse 8 states, “He has trusted in the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” The word “trust” in this verse means to “roll upon the Lord.” This is exactly what Jesus did on the cross. He committed His Spirit into God’s hands. He rolled everything over upon His Father, and became obedient unto the death of the cross, and God raised Him up in victory over the grave. The Lord will also deliver us from our trials when we trust Him enough to roll our problems over onto His shoulder and leave them there.
The last meaning of the word “trust” is found in Job 13:15, where it means “to be patient, to hope, to stay upon.” Job was enduring a severe physical and emotional trial, and seemingly had no one to turn to, for his wife and friends had turned their backs on him. However, Job knew that, in spite of his circumstances, he could put his trust in the Lord. In this verse Job proclaims, “Though he [God] slay me, yet will I trust him...” Job’s hope and trust in the Lord extended even beyond the grave, and so he knew that he could safely depend on Him to take care of him. He trusted God in spite of his suffering. His faith and trust in the Lord were steadfast. God’s grace was sufficient for Job and for Paul and will also be sufficient for us when we put our trust in Him.
We can stand and move
when we want to go.
But to just stand still,
and take it slow –
Takes faith and trust
in God’s own plan.
He’s in control,
it’s in His Hand.
But standing up
when He says “Move,”
Is just as hard,
For you then prove –
That you are willing
to give your all,
To hear His voice,
to heed His call.
And then to stand
and wait to see,
His mighty Arm,
and let things be –
Shows grace and strength
drawn from His Word.
An obedient life,
a heart assured.
Debbie Isenbletter
Springfield, Missouri
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:1-2
As mentioned in the intro article, Paul begins this letter with his credentials and a greeting of grace and peace. The overall message that God gives us through Paul’s writing is one of grace and peace, brought to us through Jesus Christ. In order to keep us grounded, we must first know for certain that everything is from God by His grace.
Read Ephesians 1:3-6.
God deserves blessing from us for who He is and for what He has done. When we use the word “blessed” or “blessing” we think primarily of God giving us something. However, the Greek word used here is “euloge¯tos”, and refers to speaking praise about someone. We definitely need to praise God for the things that Paul is mentioning in these verses.
Notice these:
• He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
• He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world
• that we should be holy and without blame before him in love
• Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ
• He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We will continue to notice more of what God has done for us as we go through this letter. Often times, it seems that Christians want to find the things that God demands of us so we can create a religion. Paul wants us to know the things that God has done for us and provided for us, as these are necessary before we can even think about something we might do for God.
Jesus did not come to create a religion. He did not come to put demands on humanity. He came to offer us something that religion and self effort would never avail. We need to understand these things, and Paul intends to open them up for us. We do well to ask the Holy Spirit that “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”
Consider that we “have been” blessed with “all” spiritual blessings in Christ. First, there is no mention of natural blessings or wealth here. God is far more concerned with our spiritual condition than our natural condition, because the spiritual condition has eternal implications while the natural condition is temporary. The statement is about something that is already done. And it is about something that is very complete. Jesus died once for all, to make provision for all we need. All spiritual blessings are provided for us already.
We need to understand the concept of being “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.” It refers to the fact that God had always intended to bring us to Himself through Jesus. It was always God’s plan to bring human beings into fellowship with Himself through the sacrifice of Jesus. This is God’s choice, and we are blessed to be able to lay hold of this invitation.
I know there are some that will say that God chooses certain ones to be saved and others not. I cannot reconcile this teaching with the rest of scripture where God is clear that whosoever will may call upon the name of the Lord. I do understand that God knew those that would call upon His name, but His foreknowledge does not mean He chose some to salvation and some to perdition.
God’s choice of Jesus’ sacrifice to brings us into fellowship with Himself was more than just a symbol of some kind. It allows us to stand before Him “holy and without blame.” We certainly could never achieve this standing by our own effort. It is not a standing that depends on our ability to keep some rules or do something special. It is freely provided to us by God’s grace.
When Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus, he was told that he must be born again. Jesus talks about a new birth that brings us into God’s family. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ.” The word adoption used here in the English translation is not referring to adoption as we understand it. We are not just brought into God’s family, we are born again into His family by spiritual birth. God doesn’t just drag the old creation into His family, he brings us in as a new creation in Christ Jesus.
All of this is according to the good pleasure of His will. God did all of this of His own accord, and for His own pleasure. Consider for a minute that bringing you into His family brings pleasure to God. So much so that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten Son to do so. In all of this first chapter of Ephesians, I want you to notice how often Paul mentions “He,” “Who” and reminds us that God did all of this of His own volition which means that all praise goes to Him.
God did not owe us anything. We were the rebellious creation that turned against God to satisfy our own desires and will. We were God’s enemies Romans 5:8-10. We were not acceptable. We could not have fellowship with God or ever expect to enter into His presence. Even in that condition, God provided His Son to reconcile us. He made us “accepted in the Beloved.” We know who the Beloved is. God clearly tells us on the mount of transfiguration in Matthew 17 that Jesus is His beloved Son.
“Accepted” means that we now have access to His presence. Hebrews 10:19, Romans 5:2. I am not sure if we really understand the privilege this brings to us. In this world, people consider it a privilege to have access to the President or to some important person or entertainer. We have access to the Almighty, Eternal, Holy God. I hope you understand the immensity of this privilege and do not take it for granted.
Continued
“He performeth the thing that is appointed for me” Job 23:14.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God’s better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho’ it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.
“Disappointment – His appointment,”
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parents,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, UNQUESTIONED,
All that from His wisdom flows.
Disappointment – His appointment,”
“No good thing will He withhold,”
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
Disappointment – His appointment,”
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life’s plan is Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining –
Father, “Not my will, but Thine.”
– E. L. Young
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” II Chr. 20:21-22.
When the singers, who were appointed, began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushments against the enemy. It is truly amazing the things that are accomplished through praise. Earlier in Verse 17 is a most beautiful promise. “ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.” How do we set ourselves? By believing God’s Word and praising Him. If we are entering a battle against the enemy, be it spiritual, physical or mental, start to praise the Lord–Victory is ours.
In Acts chapter sixteen, we find Paul and Silas in prison, the inner prison or as we would say the most secure part of the prison with their feet in stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God. The prisoners heard them. They heard and believed. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken. All the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed. True prayer and praise always brings the victory. Victory is ours and is yours. Begin to pray and praise the Lord, the results may surprise you. Praise His precious name!
By R. E. M.