9/11 Delight in God’s Word

A.   Importance of studying God’s Word rather than just reading it – 2 Kings 3:11-15

 

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord through him?”  An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here.  He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”  12Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.”  So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.  Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What do we have to do with each other?  Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”  “No,” the king of Israel answered, “because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to hand us over to Moab.”  14Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you.  15But now bring me a harpist.”

                                                                                                            2 Kings 3:11-15 NIV

 

Ø      Harpist – preceded a prophet receiving God’s word in the Old Testament

 

Psalm 24 – Read before singing Jeremy Camp song entitled, “Revive Me”

    1The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,
         The world, and those who dwell in it.
    2For He has founded it upon the seas
         And established it upon the rivers.
    3Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
         And who may stand in His holy place?
    4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
         Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
         And has not sworn deceitfully.
    5He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
         And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
    6This is the generation of those who seek Him,
         Who seek Your face–even Jacob. Selah.
    7Lift up your heads, O gates,
         And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
         That the King of glory may come in!
    8Who is the King of glory?
         The LORD strong and mighty,
         The LORD mighty in battle.
    9Lift up your heads, O gates,
         And lift them up, O ancient doors,
         That the King of glory may come in!
    10Who is this King of glory?
         The LORD of hosts,
         He is the King of glory. Selah.

 

 4 Reasons to Study God’s Word – Review from last week

 

1. It will give you an ability to think for yourself (form our world view)
2. It will prepare you to better evaluate the ideas of others
3. There’s no greater joy than personal discovery
4. It will enable you to fall in love with the Author all over again 

How do we get into the mind set to study God’s Word?

 

 

B.   Psalm 119 – studying this week

Psalm 119: 1-24 NASB

    1How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
         Who walk in the law of the LORD.
    2How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
         Who seek Him with all their heart.
    3They also do no unrighteousness;
         They walk in His ways.
    4You have ordained Your precepts,
         That we should keep them diligently.
    5Oh that my ways may be established
         To keep Your statutes!
    6Then I shall not be ashamed
         When I look upon all Your commandments.
    7I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
         When I learn Your righteous judgments.
    8I shall keep Your statutes;
         Do not forsake me utterly!

 

    9How can a young man keep his way pure?
         By keeping it according to Your word.
    10With all my heart I have sought You;
         Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
    11Your word I have treasured in my heart,
         That I may not sin against You.
    12Blessed are You, O LORD;
         Teach me Your statutes.
    13With my lips I have told of
         All the ordinances of Your mouth.
    14I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
         As much as in all riches.
    15I will meditate on Your precepts
         And regard Your ways.
    16I shall delight in Your statutes;
         I shall not forget Your word.

 

    17Deal bountifully with Your servant,
         That I may live and keep Your word.
    18Open my eyes, that I may behold
         Wonderful things from Your law.
    19I am a stranger in the earth;
         Do not hide Your commandments from me.
    20My soul is crushed with longing
         After Your ordinances at all times.
    21You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed,
         Who wander from Your commandments.
    22Take away reproach and contempt from me,
         For I observe Your testimonies.
    23Even though princes sit and talk against me,
         Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
    24Your testimonies also are my delight;
         They are my counselors.

 

DOING vs. DELIGHTING

                    – invigorating

                    – refreshing

 

Ø      PAST – often times we are concerned about doing God’s Word

Ø      NOW – we look at how we can meditate on God’s Word and delight in it

 

1. Newborn Baby – the example was given that for a newborn when it’s time to eat that toys (etc.) don’t matter.  It’s the same with desiring/delighting in God’s Word.  Nothing else is a priority! 
2. Driving – the example was given that as we drive we can take delight in the mountains, trees, and the birds rather than the beginning and ending part.  Take delight and enjoy what God has put before us.  The mountains (etc.) aren’t God, but we can see Him in these and take delight in His creation.

C.   God’s Word – not written as a bunch of rules, but…..

 

1. So that we can know our sin
2. God is Holy
3. Relationship with Him
4. See our need for God

So how do we get there?

 

D.   What are the pre-requisites?  Consider this first…………………

 

1. Mind – to know
2. Will – desire & drive
3. Emotions – love, delight, desire

Ø      Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength

Ø      Commentaries – we tend to be engaged with the mind & disengaged with the heart

 

Ø      Apply my will

E.   Pre-requisites to doing Psalm 119

 

1. Recognizing your sin
2. Recognizing His Word as the source of change
3. Know God – be in a relationship with Him
4. Faith in His power to change us (v. 2)
5. Desire to change – learn & grow (v. 5)
6. Have the dedication to change – to growth
   1. How do we go from knowing to desire?
   2. The demons know

                                                              i.      Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!”  But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. Luke 4:41 NLT

                    c.   Get DEDICATION!

1. Praise Him and thank Him (v. 7)
   1. As we give THANKS & PRAISE to God – He opens the door to relationship and God speaking and the ability for me to listen.
   2. We hear God in greater ways when we spend time recognizing who He is by PRAISING and THANKING Him.
2. Ask Him to do it
   1. Ask – Seek – Knock (Matthew 7:7)
   2. Ask In His name (John 14:13-14)
   3. God wants to give us understanding and delight (Psalm 119:12)

 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

 

 

Before reading His Word – make verse 18 your prayer!

 

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”  Psalm 119:18 NASB

 

For next week:

Let’s focus of the first half – bring something that God is showing you as you read through Psalm 119:1-88