Grasping God's Word

[WalterandDebbie]

Wednesday 11-2-22 4th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Cheshvan 6, 5783 42nd. Fall Day

Grasping God’s Word

Read: Psalm 19:7–14 | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 27–29; Titus 3
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The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy. Psalm 19:7

A rugged, cast-iron ring stood strong against the harsh Minnesota winter as it hung on the doorframe of my great uncle’s old farmhouse. More than a hundred feet away was another ring, firmly fixed to the dairy barn. When there was a blizzard, my uncle would attach a line between both rings so he could find the path between the house and the barn. Keeping a firm grip on the line kept him from losing his way in the blinding snow.

My uncle’s use of a safety line in a snowstorm reminds me of how David used lines of Hebrew poetry to trace how God’s wisdom guides us through life and guards us against sin and error: “The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:9–11).

A firm grasp of the truths of Scripture informed by God’s Spirit working in our hearts keeps us from losing our way and helps us make decisions that honor God and others. The Bible warns us against wandering from God and shows us the way home. It tells us of the priceless love of our Savior and the blessings that await all who place their faith in Him. Scripture is a lifeline! May God help us cling to it always.

What promises from Scripture give you hope? In what ways will you hold on to its truths today?

Heavenly Father, help me to treasure Your teaching today. Thank You for the rich, deep blessings of Scripture!

Learn more about New Testament Basics.

INSIGHT

In Psalm 19, using the poetic device of Hebrew parallelism, David listed six things “of the Lord” that guide us: the law, the statutes, the precepts, the commands, the fear, and the decrees. Most of these might appear to be synonymous, but each has a slightly different connotation.

Each “of the Lord” phrase is followed by a statement describing its individual properties or benefits. In total, they refresh the soul, make us wise, give joy, give light, endure forever, and exhibit God’s righteousness (vv. 7–9).

Most distinctive is “the fear of the Lord” (v. 9), which is a healthy and proper reverence for God.

By James Banks |November 2nd, 2022

Wisdom Psalm Nineteen:7-14

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

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Love, Walter and Debbie

 

[Pearl]

Just reading this again has made me realise that if we don't understand something in the scriptures then we must either go on not understanding or wait for God to give us the understanding. This is safer than thinking we understand.

 

[Enoch111]

Just reading this again has made me realise that if we don't understand something in the scriptures then we must either go on understanding or wait for God to give us the understanding. This is safer than thinking we understand.

There are always many layers to Scripture, including the application to ourselves. Who would have thought that the story of Sarah and Hagar was allegorical to show the difference between the saved and the lost, between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? Yet that is exactly what Paul tells us.

GALATIANS 4: SARAH AND HAGAR AND THEIR SONS
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is [H]Agar.
25 For this [H]Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh [Ishmael] persecuted him that was born after the Spirit [Isaac], even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

 

[farouk]

Just reading this again has made me realise that if we don't understand something in the scriptures then we must either go on not understanding or wait for God to give us the understanding. This is safer than thinking we understand.

@Pearl; Indeed I must rely not on my own supposed intelligent insights but on the gracious Spirit of God to illuminate the Word.

 

[2ndRateMind]

...
Most distinctive is “the fear of the Lord” (v. 9), which is a healthy and proper reverence for God
...
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
...

wikipedia has:

Fear is an intensely unpleasant emotion in response to perceiving or recognizing a danger or threat. Fear causes physiological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat. Fear in human beings may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to oneself. The fear response arises from the perception of danger leading to confrontation with or escape from/avoiding the threat (also known as the fight-or-flight response), which in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) can be a freeze response or paralysis.

In humans and other animals, fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning. Thus, fear is judged as rational or appropriate and irrational or inappropriate. An irrational fear is called a phobia.

When asked, Jesus said (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV):

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

My question is: Can you really love that which you fear?

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[Pearl]

wikipedia has:





When asked, Jesus said (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV):



My question is: Can you really love that which you fear?

Best wishes, 2RM.

Fear God really means to respect him and honour him, not to be terrified of him.

 

[farouk]

Fear God really means to respect him and honour him, not to be terrified of him.

@Pearl Psalm 111 speaks of reverential, Godly fear.

 

[2ndRateMind]

Fear God really means to respect him and honour him, not to be terrified of him.

OED has:

noun

1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
   "I cowered in fear as bullets whizzed past"
2. verb
   1. be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or harmful.
      "I hated him but didn't fear him any more"

Admittedly, Merriam Webster has:

1a: an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
b(1): an instance of this emotion
(2): a state marked by this emotion
2: anxious concern : SOLICITUDE
3: profound reverence and awe especially toward God
4: reason for alarm : DANGER

I'm all for profound reverence and awe of God. And respecting Him and honouring Him. But if that's what is meant, why not use such words, rather than the apt to be misconstrued word 'fear'?

But I'm not trying to be pedantic, here. My point really is that if one has a clean conscience, one has nothing to fear (in the sense of 'be scared of') from His 'true and righteous judgment', and one is free to love HIm as Jesus commands. If one doesn't, then one really needs to put right the stuff that is troubling one, first.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[Pearl]

OED has:
Admittedly, Merriam Webster has:


I'm all for profound reverence and awe of God. And respecting Him and honouring Him. But if that's what is meant, why not use such words, rather than the apt to be misconstrued word 'fear'?

But I'm not trying to be pedantic, here. My point really is that if one has a clean conscience, one has nothing to fear (in the sense of 'be scared of') from His 'true and righteous judgment', and one is free to love HIm as Jesus commands. If one doesn't, then one really needs to put right the stuff that is troubling one, first.

Best wishes, 2RM.

If God is truly our heavenly Father then we know he loves us as a parent - unconditionally - so if we love him we shouldn't be afraid of him (fear him) but we should love, honour and respect him and obey him.

Are you afraid of God @2ndRateMind ?

Perfect love casts out fear.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

[Pearl]

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Sadly there are too many churches, organisations, pastors, priests who rule their flock through fear. That is not the way of Jesus.

 

[2ndRateMind]

No, I don't fear Him. But there are plenty with troubled consciences that should, I think.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Sadly there are too many churches, organisations, pastors, priests who rule their flock through fear. That is not the way of Jesus.

Amen Pearl, We all should have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Love, Walter and Debbie