Revival: Devotion to God’s Word

Psalm 119:25-32

“Revival awakens in our hearts an increased awareness of the presence of God, a new love for God, a new hatred for sin, and a hunger for His Word.” - Del Fehsenfeld Jr.

Last week I began to write about personal revival from Psalm 119:25-32. Many Christians would love to see a true revival in our nation and world. I would too. But revival begins with the individual. Personal spiritual revival must precede any corporate revival. As we saw in Psalm 119:25, the real prayer we need to pray is, “Revive me!” 

What does revival according to God’s Word look like? Four things are included in a personal spiritual revival. The first was Declaration of Sin and Our Need for God, (Psalm 119:25-26).

Today we see the second indication of personal revival:

2. Devotion to God’s Word (119:26-27)

Verse 26 ended with “Teach me your statutes” and verse 27 continues the same request in different words, “Make me understand the way of your precepts.”

The psalmist knew there were still lessons to learn in the school of life and he did not want to miss them. Too often we ask, “God, how can I get out of this trouble?” when we should be asking, “God, what do You want to teach me in this? What do you want me to get out of this experience?”

The psalmist wanted truth, truth that is set in stone and will never change. Oh, would that we wanted that today! … there is no way to exaggerate the vital importance of God’s teaching for our spiritual health. In a day when churches are built on empty entertainment, shallow sermonettes, and tainted tradition, we desparately need the reviving power of God’s truth.

I believe that one thing that can cure the anemic church of the 21^st century is God’s absolute Truth. Oh that we would pray as the psalmist does: “teach me Your statutes!”

A devotion to understanding God’s word will strengthen our devotion God. A high view of God and a high view of God’s word go hand in hand. My purpose in studying the Bible is not just so I can have a ton of knowledge or so I can show-off what I have learned. I am not advocating anything even close to biblolatry. I study the Bible to know God; to meet Him in His word; to meditate on His wonders; to love Him with all my heart.

God’s word is really all about Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me,” (John 5:39). So a devotion to God’s word is not just devotion to a text, it is devotion to Jesus Christ whom the text reveals.

So I must ask myself:

Am I increasingly devoted to knowing and loving God through His word?

(In the next post I will discuss the third indicator of personal revival: Dependence on God in Prayer).

When Bible Reading Becomes Dry

There are times when I study the Bible that the very words seem to jump off the page and breath life into my weary soul. I rejoice at every verse, each story, and devour chapter upon chapter. God feeds my soul and revives my spirit.

But every now and then there are times when the Bible seems as inspiring as the New York City Area phone book. Every Christian has experienced them – dry times in their Bible study. Times it is a drudgery rather than a joy to pick up God’s word and read it.

What do you do at times like that? Here’s what I have found:

First, don’t ignore it. This is no small problem. It is a serious spiritual issue. Second, ask God. In other words, PRAY.

Prayer and the word of God go hand in hand. “Praying before the throne of God and meditating on the Word of God are like parallel rails that enable the train of our souls to stay on the track that leads to holiness and heaven.” –Piper.

How should I pray as I approach God’s word? Psalm 119 gives me some really good clues:

Pray for God’s Grace (119:17) “Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.” The Psalmist is asking that God would deal with him according to God’s goodness, not according to his own merit. That is grace. There is bountiful riches in God’s grace toward us. Always go to the Bible humbly, dependently, asking for the abundant grace of Jesus Christ to fill you with understanding and mature you to do His word. Admit you can’t do it on your own.

Pray for Illumination (119:18) “Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.” There are wonderful things in God's teaching to us. But no one can see these wonderful things for what they really are without God's supernatural help. It is God through His Holy Spirit that enables us to comprehend His word. Again, you can’t—He can.

Pray as a Stranger on Earth (119:19) “I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.” The earth is not my home. I am traveling in a foreign land and I need a road map. The Bible is that guide. It is our roadmap through this sinful world to the bright land of eternity with the Father. Remember, the Bible speaks the language of heaven, and my citizenship is there.

Pray with Passion for God’s Word (119:20) “My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.”  The Psalmist prayed with passion. He felt a crushing burden to read and ponder God’s ordinances. He said, “My soul breaks with longing.” When I go to study God’s word, I do not pray simply as a duty, I am desperate to know God and His word to me. And not just sometimes, “at all times.”

Pray Because of Opposition (119:21-23) ”You rebuke the proud; the cursed” those who “speak against me.” Few things cause believers to hide their faith more than fear of scorn or ridicule. Ask God to “Remove” that burden from you. Pray that in the midst of this sinful world, as you face opposition, that God would keep you faithful as you meditate on His word.

The Fruit of Prayerful Study of God’s Word (119:24) “Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.” God gives us joy and pleasure through His word when we come to it prayerfully.

Have you experienced dry times in your Bible Study? What helped?

What Bible Version Do You Read Most?

When I first came into a relationship with Jesus Christ I was a third-class cadet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Although I had gone to church most of my growing up years and even been confirmed in the church, it was not until I was 20 years old that the Lord and the Bible became real to me.

The Bible I had at that time was the Children’s Living Bible.  I  began to read it like it was a new best-seller. I was hooked on God’s word. I didn’t know the difference between a translation and a paraphrase. I just knew I loved what I was learning about God, I was really getting to know the Lord through His word.

Soon after I was baptized a friend gave me a New International Version (NIV) Bible. It was a hardback and I even had a cool blue Bible cover for it. For many years I stuck to this translation of the Bible. It was easy to read and understand. Over the years (28 now since that time) I still use the NIV often in my daily reading. I also used it in my preaching for many years. I have had several editions of the NIV: the old hardback, NIV Study Bible, Disciple’s Study Bible, and at least two Reference Bibles.

I often consult other translations in my Bible study. I have used QuickVerse Bible software with several English translations that I will compare. I like to study the New American Standard Bible for its more literal translation. I also have used other translations on certain occasions. When I taught a Bible study at a nursing home I used the King James Version. And I often use the KJV at funerals.

A few years ago I began using the New King James Version in my weekly preaching and teaching. I also read it often in my daily devotions. I have used a couple good NKJV study Bibles: the Thompson Chain Reference Bible and the MacArthur Study Bible.

I suppose my favorite version is the one I am reading at the time. The whole point of the Bible is that we would read it, understand it, take it to heart, and live it. The Bible is not just for gaining knowledge, but for knowing God. And whichever version gets you to know the Lord more is probably the best one.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”    (2 Tim 3:17 NKJV)

So here’s the question:

What Bible version do you read most?  And  Why?

How to Improve Your IQ – Spiritual Health Exam #5

Lying is a problem, and that’s the truth.

Untruthfulness is very common as seen in the following statistics from the 1991 book The Day America Told the Truth by James Patterson and Peter Kim:

•     91% of people lie routinely about matters they consider trivial

•     36% lie about important matters

•     86% lie regularly to their parents

•     75% lie regularly to their friends

•     73% lie regularly to their siblings

•     69% lie regularly to their spouses

•     59% lie regularly to their kids

•     69% of Americans believe there is nothing wrong with telling a lie

This is a real problem when we consider that many of these Americans consider themselves to be Christians, even born-again believers. What ever happened to integrity? If there were a way to measure your IQ (Integrity Quotient), how high would it be?

Today’s spiritual health exam is on integrity: What’s my Integrity Quotient (IQ)?

David writes in Psalm 26:9-11, “Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,  In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes.  But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.”

David makes a conscious decision to walk in integrity. David may not have been perfect, but he decided to be honest. And on the basis of God’s mercy he asks the Lord to make it happen. He says, “Redeem me and be merciful to me.” David knows he cannot make it happen on his own. He needs a merciful redeemer.

Integrity starts with being honest with ourselves and honest to God. If we can start there, God can take us the rest of the way.

How are you doing on integrity? Is it easy for you to be honest? When is it hard?

 

Sword Training

What will help you to overcome the temptations and trappings of the world? What will help you to recognize false teachings?

The last two Sunday mornings we have looked at “Testing the Spirits” from 1 John 4:1-6. We found that the truth of scripture in the Bible is one of the criteria by which we test the spirits of the prophets (or preachers and teachers). If we do not read, study, pray over, and meditate on God’s Word we set ourselves up to be deceived. When we are deceived we more easily fall prey to the temptations of the world.

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Jesus quoted this scripture (from Deut.8:3) when He was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. He knew that the Word of God is a powerful weapon against the world, the flesh and the devil. Paul urges us in Ephesians 6:17 to take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Rhema is the Greek term for “word” both in this verse and in Matt. 4:4. A rhema is an utterance, a saying, a spoken word. We need to know God’s written word so well that we can speak it whenever we are tempted or whenever someone tries to deceive us.

So what is your plan for studying God’s word? Do you have a consistent strategy for reading the Bible and memorizing portions of it? I encourage you to do the following:

1. Set a specific time aside daily for prayerful Bible reading.
2. Decide on a course of study (where in the Bible will I start and how much to I plan to read each day).
3. Pick a verse each week and try to memorize it (write it down; post it where you will see it daily; say it to yourself constantly; pray it to God).
4. Follow through on your commitment and ask someone to hold you accountable.