Friday, February 11, 2011

February 11 Foolishly Testing God's Word

Numbers 23:12 He answered, "Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?"

Not only in this context, but in today's world, these are powerful and challenging words, a powerful question. I think, as believers we want to speak words that please God, but how do we get his words into our mouths?

II Timothy 2:15 - 16 immediately comes to mind, "Study to show they self approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the world of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

The word study has the sense of to hasten, make haste; 2) to exert one's self, endeavour, give diligence to. The word approved has the sense of being accepted, particularly of coins and money or also of being accepted, pleasing, acceptable.

This is Paul's challenge to believers to "Hurry up, be quick about and work hard to do those things which would make you accepted, pleasing to God." I love that idea of an endeavor, a project where you work hard to achieve some desired end. Paul wants them to exert energy in an effort to be able to understand and share the Word of God.

Not only does he tell Timothy to work hard doing one thing, he warns him to avoid those who spend their time in unconstructive or ungodly speech. This makes me think of sick humor or gossip, or those people who just like to argue for the sake of argument. And those who waste their time on unprofitable activities - but that's a whole other topic. Anyway....

Later in the letter, Paul wrote these words (II Tim. 3:15-17). And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be throughly furnished unto all good works.

If we want to speak the Lord's words, we must put them in there...in our minds so that the Holy Spirit has something to work with. The younger you are when you memorize Scripture the easier it comes. And the more you read the Word, the more familiar you become with the mind of God.

There's that old adage - "You are what you eat!" and "What goes in will come out." Well, it's also true of the Word. Let me end today with beautiful words from Psalms 19:8-11

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping them there is great reward.

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