THE EXCELLENCY OF GOD’S WORD
“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your Word.” Ps 119:16
“Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, “You will honor and please me very much, if you will go to yonder mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away?” So for God to say, “Go to the ordinances, get as much grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can; and the more happiness you have, the more I shall count myself glorified.” –Thomas Watson
Our Purpose: In Jesus Christ our hearts are satisfied. We were made to discover and delight in his glory. It is the knowledge of Christ that brings joy to our souls. The knowledge of the glory of God is most clearly seen as the Spirit opens the eyes of our hearts to see and hear Christ speak in his Word. Thus, our motivation for devouring God’s Word is not only duty but deep delight. In this session it is our purpose to explore how we can make Christ’s glory our treasure through devouring his Word.
I. Delighting in God’s Word—Motivation- Psalm 119:16
The Word of God is a treasure chest of joy and riches. We open the Word with enthusiasm and expectation and pray that the Spirit who inspired the writings would open our eyes so that we might see the wonderful things in God’s law. Psalm 119:18
A. Desire by Design: God created us so that the greatest pleasure we can experience is to see and enjoy His glory. Moses’ cry, “Show me your glory” is the deep cry of every believer. Jesus Christ came to reveal the radiance of God and to enable us to “see” and enjoy God’s glory forever. Our desire to see his glory and Christ’s prayer that we would see his glory (John 17:24) are being answered. It is through our involvement with the Word that God reveals his glory to his people.
B. Discipline by Design: Because of the nature of God’s Word and the weight of our sinfulness, seeing the glory of God in the Word demands our greatest effort. The Holy Spirit working through our disciplines will enable us to mine the rich blessings that God has prepared for us in His gold mine, called the Bible.
II. Studying God’s Word—Perspiration- 2 Timothy 2:14-15“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:14-15If the Scriptures are a gold mine of eternal treasure, then we should spare no effort to do whatever it takes to make that treasure ours.Raking is easy but you only get leaves. Digging is hard but by it you uncover treasure.
A. To passionately pursue Christ in his Word is to honor his value. Proverbs 2:1-5
B. A failure to discipline our lives in the search of God can disqualify us for greater, soul-satisfying service. 1Timothy 4:6-7
A man can be spiritually consecrated and dedicated and of very little use to God because his life is not disciplined. –Hudson Taylor
C. The more we know of God in our heads the more we can rejoice over him in our hearts. Ps. 63:1
This happiness is to be obtained through the study of Holy Scriptures. God has therein revealed Himself unto us in the face of Jesus Christ. –George Mueller
III. Memorizing and Meditating on God’s Word— Saturation- Psalm 27
”Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Josh 1:8
A. What is meditation?
Meditation is the process where the truth of the Word moves from the head to the heart where they control the choices of the will. As we spend time speaking God’s Word by our head to our hearts, Christ makes himself at home within us.
B. Why should we memorize? Psalm 19:11,
I spend so much time on Bible memory because I believe in the power of the indwelling Word to solve a thousand problems before they happen, and to heal a thousand wounds after they happen, and to kill a thousand sins in the moment of temptation, and to sweeten a thousand days with the “drippings of the honeycomb.” –John Piper
1. In order for the Word to be at home in our hearts it must first be settled in the head. Colossians 3:16,
2. To win the battle over sin we must know God’s will and ways. Ps. 119:11
3. In order for our mind to become transformed, the Word must be in our minds. Rom. 12:2
4. Memorization stores the Word so that it is available at all times and in all places. Ps. 119:98
5. Storing God’s Word in our heads brings great joy to our hearts. Psalm 19:111
C. How to prepare to feast on God’s Word?
1. Pray for a heart that delights in God’s Word. Psalm 19:14,
2. Schedule regular times for your devotions. Luke 5:16,
3. Find a quiet place to be alone with him. Matthew 6:6,
4. Make specific plans as to what you are going to do in your meditation. Psalm 77:12,
5. Keep a written journal of your walk with God: Jeremiah 30:2,
I know not how the light is shed, Nor understand their lens. I only know that there are eyes in pencils and in pens. –John PiperII.
How do we meditate on God’s words?
1. Pray that God will open the eyes of your heart. Psalm 119:18
2. Select a passage that speaks to your dry condition. Psalm 42:1
3. Slowly and carefully engage the passage before you. Psalm 119:34
4. Train your ears to recognize God’s voice as he speaks in the text. 1 Samuel 3:10
5. Turn God’s Words into prayers and cries for help. Psalm 27:7
6. Apply the truths to your situation and commit yourself to walking in them the rest of your day. Psalm 119:99
7. Continue to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day and night. Psalm 119:97
It is blessed to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your spirit is flavored with the words of the Lord, so that your blood is Bibline and the very essence of the Bible flows from you. –Charles Spurgeon