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 continue to focus in on the line: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord”, or “Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings.” This is our third day focusing in on this one line. The Lord keeps speaking to me about it. I can’t move on until He lets me move on. So let’s seek to glean a few more golden nuggets from this line this morning.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- To become the “Blessed Man” described in Psalm 1 you must develop a mindset that finds pleasure in feeding on the Word of God. When you first come to God you don’t have this mindset. But it can and should be developed. You will never consistently experience more than what your mind is SET to experience. What is your mindSET towards the Word of God?
- The more you walk with God and the more you learn of Him, the more you train yourself to find true enjoyment in His ways. The things of God should not be a burden, but rather a blessing.
- What do you take delight in? What can you say is your heart’s delight? The “Blessed Man” described in Psalm 1 actually finds delight in God’s Word. The result? He can’t help BUT be blessed. Everything he does prospers because he has trained himself to find pleasure in learning and applying the Lord’s teachings. Question: is this a description of you? If not, it’s time to make some changes.
- The Bible contains God’s character, attributes and nature. The more Word you know, the more you actually know God. The more you learn God’s ways, the more acquainted you become with the God who created you. The more you know your creator, the more you will know YOURSELF. Once you know yourself — your true self, the self God called you to be — you are in position to walk in The Blessing.
- Studying the Word should never be boring, tasking or tedious. Just like preaching the Word should never be boring. I teach homiletics (how to preach) in Bible College. I tell my students, “Preaching can never be boring. If it’s boring, then it’s not preaching. It’s something, but it’s not preaching.” When you open the Word of the Living God, and you have an exchange with God through His Word, it should be exciting and life-changing.
- When you open your Word something should happen. The Bible can instruct, educate, correct and inspire. One or all of these should happen when you interact with God through His Word. At no point should NOTHING HAPPEN. If you come to the Word and nothing happened, something is wrong… and that something is NOT the Word. Some people say, “I tried the Bible and the Bible did not work.” What actually happened was, “The Bible tried you, and you did not work.” God’s Word always works. The Word will work if you work the Word!
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. I develop a mindSET that loves Your Word. I open Your Word daily with an open heart and open mind. Your Word is LIFE to me. It corrects me when I’m wrong, instructs me when I’m ignorant, inspires me when I’m down, and illuminates my path when I’m lost. Your Word builds me up daily. I delight in Your Word. I take true pleasure in reading and applying what You have said. My life is exciting because I get to interact with the God of the Universe daily, led of Your Spirit, in accordance with Your Word, by Your grace! I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
