This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”. We are walking our way through the first half of the first psalm. Let’s get back to it. The Bible says:
(Psalm 1:1-3 KJV) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
(Psalm 1:1-3 ERV) “Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.”
In this message we will focus in on the line: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord”, or “Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- After telling us what a blessed man does NOT do, the psalmist begins to describe what a blessed man DOES. The very first thing he says is a blessed man delights in the Lord’s teachings. To be blessed you must have a true desire to learn, apply and experience the Word of God. The Word of God should not be seen as a textbook to study, but rather a life-book to live!
- Studying God’s Word should not be seen as a task. For you to walk in God’s best you must get to the point where you truly take pleasure in opening the Bible and feeding your soul.
- Reading what God is not something you’ve GOT to do, but rather something you GET to do! You get to learn from the God who sits on the circle of the earth. When you get to the point where you LOVE the Lord’s teachings and you are quick to apply them to your life, you will also be at the point where your life personifies what you read. People will look at your and call you BLESSED!
- The Apostle Peter said, “Like newborn babies, you must crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word, so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.” (1 Peter 2:2). Like a baby cries out for milk, a newborn believer is to cry out for the nourishment of God’s Word. I remember when I gave my life to Christ in 1995. I devoured the Word of God every day. I loved it. I enjoyed it. It was not a task for me to read my Bible. It was my delight. The more I read, the more I craved. That’s how we should approach God’s Word.
- Reading and studying God’s Word should never be looked at as a task to perform, but rather as a privilege to enjoy.
- The God of the universe saw to it that His thoughts were captured on paper. You now have the honor of reading what He said. As you read what He said back then you get to hear what He is saying to you today!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus this year by focusing on Your Word. Your Word is Your will documented. I don’t have to wonder what Your will is. I can read it every day. I crave the words that flow from Your lips MORE than my necessary food. Your Word is life to me, it is health and healing to all my flesh. I sincerely enjoy reading what You said and I do so with an expectation to hear what You are saying to me today. Like a baby cries out for milk, my heart cries out for Your Word. I don’t live by bread only, I live by every Word that proceeds from our of Your mouth. Reading Your Word is not a task for me. It’s not something I’ve GOT to do. It’s something I GET to do! I take pleasure in Your Word and I meditate and medicate on it day and night! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
