Month: July 2007

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simply; (Psalm 19:7b)”

This is an absolutely wonderful fact! As I study the Word of God, my simple mind that has such limited understanding of life and circumstances, actually becomes wise from the spiritual point of view. There is a transformation that occurs in the mind of a person who chooses the Word of God over the delights that the world offers.

I find this wonderful. As I choose the written Word, the Word who Himself is God, gently unfolds Himself out of book form into life form into my heart, and empowers me to see from His point of view. I become wise in the wisdom of Almighty God.

1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “But we have the mind of Christ.” Many have questioned about this verse, “How can that be.” The secret is hidden in the printed page Word. The mind of Almighty God has been stored for whosoever will choose it. If I continue thinking in my own circles, then all I have is whatever I have been able to accumulate in my mind. However, if I will choose to read, study, and meditate on the written Word, I will come into a wisdom that is far superior to that of the world around me, and certainly far superior to my own circles of thought.

This is far to simple, for one to grasp. We want it all to be so complicated. We want ourselves to somehow come out looking smart, wise, and really cool. However, the Word will not do that. It (He) instead gently unfolds Himself and becomes the center of attention in all that surrounds. My very dependence upon Him and His thoughts empowers me to receive what He sees.

The wisdom that He brings is His wisdom, and a wisdom that empowers a life that is free in Him. It is not the wisdom of the world, but will give us wisdom as we live and move in the world. It, like us, is in the world, but not of it.

I confess, I often “bump” into my own inability to see what I need to see, or understand what I need to understand. Lord help me remember, that the secret is your written Word, translated into life in You.

“The Torah of YHWH is perfect, bringing back the being;….”
(Psalm 19:7 The Scriptures)

Psalm 19:7 in a very literal version says volumes. Most of our translations read a bit differently. Something like, “The Word of the Lord is perfect, reviving (or restoring) the soul.” Even though our translations say a possible rendering, some of the emphasis is diluted.

The Scriptures is a translation from Africa, and a bit different than what we normally have. In this instance, it is quite literal and opens the eyes of our hearts to a fuller meaning.

The word “Torah” means that which is entire, truth, complete, full, perfect, sound, without spot, upright, whole. So even though we might be tempted to say it is simply the first five books of the Old Testament (in a Jewish understanding), because of the full meaning of the word, I believe our English translations do well to translate it to cover the entire instruction in the Word of God.

The word usually translated revive or restore has a multitude of meanings but the on that keeps cropping up in Strong’s is to turn back or to bring home again. So the Scriptures have translated it well. It means to bring back, or turn back. If we ponder this for a few minutes, it means to bring something back to a wholeness — back home, with all the comfort, protection and health that word implies.

What it brings back is the being. What a wonderful way to say it. The word used here is the Hebrew word for life, soul, being — the totality of a person (spirit, soul and body).

Now when we put that all together in our hearts, the Word of the YHWH brings the entire person back to a place of wholeness and wellness. Just think of it. Our Lord has stored in His Word the Spirit’s ability to literally make us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically at peace, in comfort, and in health. My heart explodes with the possibility.

Now, that being so, what are we as His people to do about the Word? I think we need to have much more emphasis on the Spirit’s ability through the Word to empower in our lives. Our “dosage” of the Word needs to be high. It is through the Word we are trained into obedience that comes from a submitted spirit. That will empower us to be obedient to the truth our Lord shows us. As He leads and guides, we will be able to be obedient to our Dr.’s instructions, the training the Lord does in us regarding nutrition, and rest. (There is that Sabbath concept again).

Walking in relationship means I listen to Him. He has spoken in His Word (and He daily speaks in our hearts according to the Word). His Word carries in it the ability to preform what He has spoken. May we choose to listen, receive and be at home in Him.

(May all of believers in our Lord Jesus living in the United States on this July 4, celebrate the freedom of our spirit in Christ Jesus through His salvation, as we thank Him for the freedoms He has protected in our dear USA).