Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Sunday, 5 January 2014 “Dive . . . Dive!” Scripture Psalm 119

Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Sunday, 5 January 2014 “Dive . . . Dive!” Scripture Psalm 119: ⁸⁹ The Lord exists forever;
    your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
⁹¹ By your appointment they stand today,
    for all things are your servants.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my misery.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
⁹⁴ I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your decrees.
⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
    It is my meditation all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is always with me.
⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your decrees are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged,
    for I keep your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
¹⁰² I do not turn away from your ordinances,
    for you have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.

“Dive . . . Dive!” by Janine Metcalf

Our daily Bible study often resembles skipping rocks across the surface of a lake. We skim passages for something that sparks our interest instead of taking a serious plunge to see what lies within. So many believers leave the deep stuff for “the experts” who know how to explore the original language and context to correctly apply the Truth to life.

David reminds us that true insight is not found through secondhand teaching, but personal meditation on God’s statutes. Every believer is invited to dive into the depths of God’s Truth. If we prayerfully seek help from the Holy Spirit to understand what the passage reveals about God, about our human condition, and how it can address our present situation, we will not be denied. Those who seek will indeed find. Those who do not are prone to follow their feelings or advice from well meaning, but sometimes-misguided friends. The results can be disastrous.

The key to insight is a personal quest to know God and to daily learn from Him. Only then will we gain the discernment to know right from wrong and the courage to live accordingly.

Hymn for Today:

“Deeper, Deeper” by Charles P. Jones

1. Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus

Daily let me go;

Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,

More of grace to know.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

2. Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit,

Take me deeper still,

Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus,

And His perfect will.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

3. Deeper, deeper! though it cost hard trials,

Deeper let me go!

Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,

Let me fruitful grow.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

4. Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus,

Till all conflict past,

Finds me conqu’ror, and in His own image

Perfected at last.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

5. Deeper, deeper in the faith of Jesus,

Holy faith and true;

In His pow’r and soul exulting wisdom

Let me peace pursue.

Refrain:

Oh, deeper yet, I pray,

And higher every day,

And wiser, blessed Lord,

In Thy precious, holy Word.

Thought for Today:

“Accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it long in your heart until it has gone right into you and taken possession of you”(Dietrich Bonhoeffer).

Prayer Needs:

Developing Christian leaders in Israel.

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