Discipleship Essentials*
Friday, November 12, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I pray that You will so fill me with Your Holy Spirit today that I will, indeed, rejoice in your decrees as much as in riches. I pray that knowing You and knowing and living Your word will become the top priority of this and every day of my life. I pray that You will speak Your truth to me in Your word, and then let me speak the truth in love to those I meet today as I go about the everyday activities of my life. Use me today to advance Your Kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Psalm 119:1-16
1 Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.
2 Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!
6 Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.
7 When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your principles. Please don’t give up on me!
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
10 I have tried my best to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your principles.
13 I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.
Background on the Text – Who Wrote It? Why Was It Written? Who Was the Audience?
In one sense, every passage of Scripture was written for YOU! Have you ever thought of that? Certainly Psalm 119 was written for the people of Israel, probably after the time of the Exile, but it was written for YOU, and for me as well. The author had no way of knowing that he was writing Scripture as he penned the words we have been reading this week, but he did know that the words he wrote, would help his people glorify God if they practiced them. The same is true for you and me several thousand years later—that’s because God’s word stands forever!
Observation – What Does the Text Say?
(Specifically look at the bold verses, if any, to answer these questions.)
Interpretation – What Does the Text Mean?
Application – How Can I Respond to the Text’s Insights and Teachings?
Each Week’s Check List
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Growth Point |
How |
Encouraged and strengthened me by |
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Fallen short areas |
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What will I do with these insights? |
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What did God say to me today? |
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Share insights and growth points |
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Changed/transformed how? |
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Thoughts...I Have Rejoiced in Your Decrees!
How often do you “rejoice” in God’s decrees? The idea seems a little odd at first, doesn’t it? Thinking of God’s commands as something over which we ought to rejoice. But if we stop for a moment and reflect on what the author was saying, it makes sense. After all, if we learn God’s word and hide it in our hearts (as we talked about yesterday), then when life’s challenges come to us, we will be prepared for them. We will be able to face whatever happens, because we’ll know that God is on our side, and that He is plotting to do us good. How much is knowledge like that worth when everything is going wrong? How much is knowledge like that worth in a world that seems to measure everything by how much “stuff” we have? Many times in our lives we will find that doing God’s will is much more a cause for joy than purchasing one more gadget or accoutrement for the house or car. That’s because God’s word stands forever, while our latest purchase will likely wear out before our interest in it does. Jesus told us to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, and we find that God’s word is part of that treasure. We can’t talk any material thing with us to heaven, but God’s word will go with us, and is already there ahead of us. May we always rejoice in that word. May we always hide it in our hearts and live it in our lives, because then we will be the faithful, obedient children God calls us to be!