November 21
Ezek 42:1-43:27 | PS 119:1-16 | Prov 28:6-7 | James 5:1-20
The word of God needs to be at the center of each Christian's life. Yet, the overwhelming majority despise (which means "takes lightly") it. Every single excuse under the sun is given as to why reading through it is not possible. Some state they are too busy, too tired, unable to understand it, etc. Some much prefer to stay in certain sections, such as the New Testament, or the Psalms. Others simply make comments like they prefer to pray, go to church, or listen to worship music. How do you know how to pray unless you know who you are praying to. How do you take to heart the worship music unless you comprehend the lyrics applied to God's true word. If we desire to be in a real relationship with God, why do so many seek shortcuts. This is why the whole emphasis behind this ministry, The One Year Bible Plan, is to take to heart the entirety of God's Word from cover to cover, every year.
The longest chapter, Psalm 119 (176 verses), also basically physically placed at the center of the Bible, contains all the benefits of studying God's Word. In fact, all but three of the 176 verses have some reference to the word of God, referring to God's laws, statutes, commandments, precepts, testimonies, etc. We read in Psalm 119:4-5, "You have commanded us To keep Your statutes! Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!" We read in 119:11, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You, O Lord!" How young should we be to treasure these words in our heart? Mary was so familiar and versed with Scripture that her song in Luke 1:47-55 is full of truths directly from God's word. The Bible is complete with those in their older years who have held tenaciously onto God's truth, such as Simeon and Anna in Luke 2.
They were all prepared because they stayed rooted onto God's word. How about us? Jesus warned us to be as though waiting for the thief in the night, or the servant waiting for the master to return. We can only do this if we stay focused on His word, His entire word, continually. We should not take days off, for we know not what each day brings. How many opportunities that God sends us, do we miss because we made a choice to keep our focus elsewhere. Lord, may you open our eyes and our ears to seek you. May You open our hearts to desire You. May You reveal Yourself to us through Your word so that our relationship with You can deepen day by day, until that day that we get to be with You in eternity.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: