is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). The Word of God is a mirror as well, as elucidated by Apostle James, who exhorts us to be doers of the Word, rather than be more hearers (James 1:22-25). In his epistle to the Colossians, Apostle Paul instructs believers to be filled with the Word of God, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16). Communing with God regularly, through the Bible study and Prayer, are regarded as the fundamental prerequisites for a victorious Christian life. Many biblical teachers refer to the Word of God as the Handbook for Life. Among the many approaches for biblical Study; the biblical teacher, David Jeremiah, has provided some useful principles5, that has also been deployed in the Jeremiah Study Bible (2004). The three suggested principles are: (i) Observation, What the Bible says—In this section, the Study focuses on understanding what the Bible says in its original context. The purpose is to comprehend what the authors were communicating to their audiences in their settings; (ii) Interpretation, What the Bible means—In this section, the Study focuses on interpreting the Bible. Since Bible is a self-interpreting book, one passage is interpreted by other relevant passages and each verse is understood in its context; (iii) Application, What the Bible means for us—In this section, the Study focuses on application, i.e., what the Bible means for us personally. As noted earlier from Apostle James, the Word of God is a mirror (James 1:22), reflecting our inner thoughts, shining a light into the labyrinths of our lives. Therefore, a regular and systematic study of the Word of God, under the auspices of the Holy Spirit, can help us learn what the Bible says, what it means, and what it means for us. In other words, biblical Study has the potential and power to change our lives as Christians, and make us more like Jesus in our daily walk with Him. The Book of Psalms provides rich, sweet meditations on the Word of God. In Psalm 19 for instance, in verse seven through fourteen, King David renders a comprehensive testimony of the Word of God. That the Word of God is: perfect (v.7a); trustworthy (v.7b); right (v.8a); radiant (v.8b); firm and righteous (v.9b); more precious than gold (v.10a); sweeter than honey (v.10b); a warning mechanism (v.11a); a rewarder (v.11b); a gauge for discerning errors and hidden 5 https://davidjeremiah.blog/how-to-study-the-bible/
faults (v.12); and a guard against willful sins and great transgressions (v.13). The Psalm ends with David’s great petition, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Psalm 119 offers the most extensive meditation on the Word of God, being the longest Psalm, and the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is made up of 176 verses, divided into 22 stanzas, one for each of the 22 characters that make up the Hebrew alphabet (alphabetic acrostic). Among the important blessings outlined in Psalm 119 from meditating on and walking by the Word of God are: (i) acts as a bulwark against sin (v.11); (ii) provides comfort in suffering (v.50); (iii) teaches the goodness of God in all things (v.68); (iv) reveals the value of the Word as more precious than silver and gold (v.72); (v) demonstrates the faithfulness of God through generations (v.90); (vi) provides insight and understanding (v.99-100); (vii) serves as a guide, a lamp to the feet and a light to the path (v.105); (viii) creates understanding and discernment (v.130, v.133); (ix) giving delight in the midst of trouble and distress (v.143); (x) learning that the God has established His Word forever (v.152); and (xi) provides great peace (v.165). Biblical scholars also point to the first Chapter of the Book of Joshua as providing a definitive treatise on the blessings of meditating on the Word of God. As Joshua takes over from Moses as the leader of the children of Israel during their journey to the Promised Land, the Lord God strengthens Joshua in the first nine verses of the first chapter of the Book of Joshua, culminating with the promise that the Lord God will be with him always, everywhere (Joshua 1:9). The blessings of the biblical mediation are outlined in verses seven and eight as, “you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8b). In these two verses (Joshua 1:7-8), God commands us to obey the Word of God fully, and meditate on the Word continually. If we are obedient doers of the Word, the LORD promises that we will be successful and prosperous in what we do. Conclusion: The Living Gospel is the good news that we can be saved from our sins by trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We commune with the Lord Almighty through Prayer and the Word of God, which has the power to renew our minds and transform our lives. For His glory. And our mercy. * Dr. Cherian Samuel is an economist, who after having had a distinguished career with the World Bank Group retired in February 2021. He is a member of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Virginia (USA).
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