Today's Word of Encouragement

Waiting on God's Word

May 18, 2020

WAITING ON GOD’S WORD
Tuesday, May 19, 2020

     I have observed an interesting phenomenon among some Christians of late. There is the idea that since we have the Holy Spirit living within us to speak God’s counsel to us, there is little need to study the Scriptures. Simply put, some say “The Holy Spirit will tell me what I need to know, so why spend time studying the Bible?” This is a very short sided and completely unbiblical approach to the Christian life.
     What was King David’s attitude toward God’s Word?

    I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word (Psalm 119:147-148).

     Morning and evening David waited for a word from God. It was a constant desire of his heart and discipline of his life to begin and end each day with God’s Word occupying his mind.
     “Ah,” you say, “But that’s the Old Testament, and the Holy Spirit wasn’t around then like He is today.” I beg to differ. The Holy Spirit has always been around and actively working with God’s people from day one.
     David was filled with the Holy Spirit and He never departed from David.

     . . . David did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5).

     We know he murdered Nabal in his heart, took a census of the people of Israel (which was a sign of not trusting in the power of God), was married to more than one wife, and no doubt committed sin every day of his life as we all do. But the testimony of Scripture is that the Lord never left him.
     Yet, we see that David’s heart still longed for the Word of God. His soul hungered for it. He disciplined his daily schedule around it. Why? Because God speaks through His word. His Holy Spirit confirms what God has already revealed to us through His inspired Word. It is as needful for us today as it was for David 3,000 years ago!
     “Father, thank you for Your Word, inspired by Your Holy Spirit, preserved down through the ages, as relevant today as it has been for centuries. As Your servant David prayed, “Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances,” may that be my prayer today and every day ‘till I see You face to face.”

Pastor Martin

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