Morning Meditation, Day 2 :
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col 3:16a)
Great things come in small packages. Our verse today is brief, but it is power packed. Let’s dissect it to get at its riches.
“Let” speaks of the attitude of our heart. If we want God’s word to live in us, we have to have the right mind-set. In James 1:21, the Apostle teaches us that we must be holy and humble for the word to find a place in our heart.
“The word of Christ” refers to God’s fullest and final revelation of Himself, and His plans and purposes for the ages. “In whom (Christ)”, said Paul in Colossians 2:3, “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Jesus is “the word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14). He is God’s communication to all men (Heb. 1:3). When we have the word of Christ, we have the fullness of God.
The idea that the word is to “dwell” in us reveals the fact that the word is alive. A living heart needs and receives a living word. The writer of The Book of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
“In you” tells us how personal the communications of God are. His words are not to be bound-up in our bibles on dusty shelves for others to appreciate. God’s words only do us good when they are in us.
“Richly” indicates amount. God’s word is not to be in us in scanty measure; there must, of necessity, be an abundance of it. It is to fill our hearts and minds. God intends it to be our primary “food for thought”. It is to be the dominant object of our concentration. The Lord told Joshua, “meditate on it (God’s word) day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col 3:16a)
Great things come in small packages. Our verse today is brief, but it is power packed. Let’s dissect it to get at its riches.
“Let” speaks of the attitude of our heart. If we want God’s word to live in us, we have to have the right mind-set. In James 1:21, the Apostle teaches us that we must be holy and humble for the word to find a place in our heart.
“The word of Christ” refers to God’s fullest and final revelation of Himself, and His plans and purposes for the ages. “In whom (Christ)”, said Paul in Colossians 2:3, “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Jesus is “the word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14). He is God’s communication to all men (Heb. 1:3). When we have the word of Christ, we have the fullness of God.
The idea that the word is to “dwell” in us reveals the fact that the word is alive. A living heart needs and receives a living word. The writer of The Book of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
“In you” tells us how personal the communications of God are. His words are not to be bound-up in our bibles on dusty shelves for others to appreciate. God’s words only do us good when they are in us.
“Richly” indicates amount. God’s word is not to be in us in scanty measure; there must, of necessity, be an abundance of it. It is to fill our hearts and minds. God intends it to be our primary “food for thought”. It is to be the dominant object of our concentration. The Lord told Joshua, “meditate on it (God’s word) day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
To consider...
Psalm 139:23-24:
Evening reading, Day 2:
Psalm 119:9-16 (Read, meditate, and pray the passage)
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Are you seeking constantly to walk in a manner that pleases God? (Col. 1:10; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21)
a) Are you crucifying the desires of the flesh and living according to the Spirit? (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:5-9)
a) Are you crucifying the desires of the flesh and living according to the Spirit? (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:5-9)
Evening reading, Day 2:
Psalm 119:9-16 (Read, meditate, and pray the passage)
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
4 comments:
loved Gal. 5:16-28 this morning....
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
(verse 24)
At the prayer meeting this morning, when I was hearing about "God's Word", what stuck out to me was that His "Word" also refers to His 'Oath' or 'promise'(i.e. when a man gives his word on something). Several scriptures verses came out as Pastor Bob was praying that all reminded me of this, but also that as we rehearse His promises, we also have to consider His commands (IF my people will pray....THEN I will....)Therefore, His Word is often conditional. Let's be mindful be obedient, so that when we pray, we are not asking amiss.
The word is coming forth abundantly; it is the life Jesus promised us. He is writing His word in abundance upon the table of our hearts. It is a living word that strengthens and energizes us to accomplish His will in all the earth. Without Him (and His word) in our lives, we can't do a thing, but when He dwells in us richly, everything He desires becomes a possibility. We can do all things through Christ. No mountain can stand in our way when we embrace His promises and obey His word.
Here's a little backstory...after coming out of a season where it seemed as though walking in the Spirit was effortless, a couple of things in my thoughts and attitude have re-surfaced over time and I began to wonder if I would really gain victory in these areas...
Earlier today I was shopping at Meijer (can I just say the Meijer chicken has never smelled so good at 9:00 in the morning???!!!) By the time I was done with my shopping, I was very hungry. As I stood in line, I breathed a simple prayer ..."Lord, I am really hungry - can you fill me with your word?" As soon as I got back into the car, I turned on the radio to hear Joyce Meyer tell it like it is...
"The word says we are a new creation in Christ and that we already have everything we need to live a new life."
"Sometimes we are trying to get something we already have. We just need to unwrap the gifts that God already gave us."
She went on to talk about how gaining victory is just a matter of applying His word to those specific areas. How fitting!!! God is so faithful!
Post a Comment