Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us

Read Psalm 119:9-16

Fun Fact: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible! In its entirety, it’s a great meditation on the importance and beauty of God’s word in nurturing our faith. I love how this section speaks to us as believers, whether we’ve been believers for ten minutes, ten years, or our whole lives.

The psalmist says, “I have hidden your word in my heart.” Is it safe in our hearts, far enough away from the clutches of sin? You might wonder how this happens exactly. Over the years, I have helped countless children in my Sunday School classes commit Bible verses to memory. Once in our heads, we can let them rest in our hearts. That way, God’s wisdom is always safe inside us, ready to nurture or empower us. Continue reading “Psalm 119:9-16 – God’s Word Equips Us”

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – Remember This

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

In our day and age, being self-sufficient is often a sign of success. For Christ-followers, we have discarded that notion to the degree we realize we need help. Navigating life can be tricky with all the obstacles in our path. God has set us up for success when we follow his teachings and obey his commands.

What does it mean we “must fear the LORD,” our God? The word “must” suggests this is not negotiable. The importance is magnified because this command is repeated regularly in the Bible. Rather than understanding this “fear” as a phobia or something that causes us to be afraid, think of it as a reverence or awe of God’s power. Each time you have a new revelation about God’s character or a truth uncovered in His Word, capture those awestruck moments and relive them to help blossom your respect and awe for God. Continue reading “Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – Remember This”

Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words

Read Psalm 19:7-14

Why should we listen to God’s Word? The psalmist gives us eleven verses full of reasons and benefits. We can’t really deny any of these descriptions. Yet it’s almost as if they are shared in defense of God’s Word, as if God’s Word were under attack. I see evidence of such an attack all these years later, don’t you?

Some people view the Bible as a book of rules or just a collection of words. It’s much more than that. The psalmist uses words like “instructions,” “decrees,” “commandments,” “commands,” “laws,” and “a warning.” Those are some direct and descriptive words. What a good reason to pay attention! For those of us who have always wanted an “Instruction Guide for Life,” we need look no further. Continue reading “Psalm 19:7-14 – More Than Just Words”

1 Samuel 3:9-18 – Is That You, God?

Read 1 Samuel 3:9-18

In this Bible passage, we encounter Samuel and Eli with the memorable story of God reaching out audibly with His message. It’s helpful to know that Samuel was a young boy being mentored by Eli, the priest. Samuel would grow up to be a faithful prophet used by God for some important tasks, like anointing King David. God wanted to make sure Samuel recognized his voice early in life. Samuel also has two books named after him in the Old Testament!

For us, this passage reminds us of the importance of listening for God. We’re starting a new theme in our Discovering the Bible Challenge called “Listening to God’s Word.” We’ll walk through some great Bible texts giving us insights into the importance of listening to God rather than the mumblings of the world. Isn’t it great that God still speaks to us, too! Continue reading “1 Samuel 3:9-18 – Is That You, God?”

Psalm 23 – God is My Shepherd

Read Psalm 23

What a reading to close this week’s focus on our majestic and gracious God! Psalm 23 is one of those cherished psalms that many turn to in times of struggle, loss, and confusion. Understanding the significance of God being referred to as our shepherd is key.

Shepherds are one of those professions that used to be very common, and the psalmist’s audience would be very familiar. David, the psalmist, was a shepherd boy before he became king. David would know firsthand that the shepherd is the hero of every sheep. The relationship between sheep and shepherd is extremely close. Sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd, and shepherds are very careful to never misplace one of their sheep. For David to describe God in this way is powerful. Continue reading “Psalm 23 – God is My Shepherd”

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