This past week we covered message 4 in the Life-Study of Exodus, about How the Old Testament seekers of God enjoyed His word. I enjoyed seeing the contrast between the loving seekers of God and the letter keepers of the law.
The law keepers had no heart for God or His desire. They sought the law apart from God.
The loving seekers on the other hand sought after God, dwelt with Him, enjoyed Him and were infused by Him to such an extent they reflected God. I also enjoyed the pattern set by the God-seeking psalmists who enjoyed God’s living word – which was summarized in the following 8 points:
- Believing it and choosing it – believing the Word of God and choosing the Word of God;
- Lifting up our hand unto it and loving it – lifting up our hands unto the Word of God and loving it
- Delighting in it and tasting it – delighting in the Word of God, and tasting the Word of God;
- Rejoicing it and singing of it – rejoicing in the Word of God and Singing of it;
- Having a sound heart in the Word of God and inclining our heart unto it;
- Seeking it, longing for it and hoping in the word of God with prayer and trusting in it;
- Musing upon the Word of God, considering it, and remembering it;
- Walking in the Word of God and running the way of it.
The ministry except expanded on each of these points. The matter of Musing upon the Word of God was really opened up to me: to muse upon the Word is often finer than pray-reading. When we muse upon a verse we “chew the cud” which us leads into prayer, where we enjoy God’s word as His breath and receive spiritual nourishment.
Further reading: Life-study of Exodus pp 661-664, 669-672, 675-676 and several verses from Psa 119. [guest post: bro. Ojeh]