Leading Through Learning The Word

Meditation and Obedience

Opening Question: If God were to wave a magic wand over you and cause a certain fault to disappear, which one would you like for it to be? Grouchiness? Laziness? Procrastination? Psalm 119 Meditation and Obedience The Psalmist in Ps 119 writes beautifully about the value and worth of Gods commands, and the worth of meditation and obedience to His Word. Catholic evangelist Enzo Bianchi has said [He] describes himself as murmuring the Scripture, repeating the texts interiorly, reading the passages of Scripture again and again. Here are some examples. Lets read them and pick up on the pattern: vv. 9-11; 15-16; 31-32; 35-36; 63-64; 95-96 As we focus in on vv. 97-104 we get some more rubber meeting the road reflection from the Psalmist:
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
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The formatting is on purpose to draw out the actions here: meditation and obedience.

Discussion 1. 2. What advantages does the psalmist find that meditating on the law brings? The phrases "you yourself have taught me" and "how sweet are your words to my taste" (vv. 102, 103) indicate the psalmist's personal connectedness with God through the text. What, if any, methods of Bible study or meditation create that for you? Even though the psalmist writes a lot about obedience, it isn't expressed with a coldhearted, teeth-gritting sense of obligation but with great longing for God. How do you explain this?

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Prayers:

Schedule:
February 5 Meditation and Obedience 12 A Biblical Model 19 Entering a Gospel Scene Lent Plans in Place 26 VCC FMSC NIGHT (No class) March 5 ASH WEDNESDAY (Worship at 7pm) 12 The Single Hearted Person 19 Less is More 26 Simple Talk April 2 When Fasting Becomes Feasting 9 Hearts Laid Bare 16 HOLY WEEK BREAK (No Class) 23 Valley Verses: Building the Foundation 30 Romans 12:1-2 and Deuteronomy 6:4-5 May 7 John 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 John 5:11-12 14 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Colossians 3:1-3 21 VCC CELEBRATE THE WORD NIGHT