Today I’m breaking
it down. Verse seven of Psalm 19 that is. But go ahead and beat-box if you
choose. It’s not like I’ll feel the spray of spittle from here. Just sayin’.
it down. Verse seven of Psalm 19 that is. But go ahead and beat-box if you
choose. It’s not like I’ll feel the spray of spittle from here. Just sayin’.
On Monday, we looked
at the whole Psalm 19 in the Message translation.
at the whole Psalm 19 in the Message translation.
Today, I want to
look at it more in detail (just a portion) in the NKJV. I’m a fan of the NKJV and that’s what I use to study
with each morning, but again, it’s important and beneficial to study your Bible
by looking at many translations. An easy way to do this is by pulling up Biblegateway each morning, or evening when you
have study time, and yes…you should be having daily study time!
look at it more in detail (just a portion) in the NKJV. I’m a fan of the NKJV and that’s what I use to study
with each morning, but again, it’s important and beneficial to study your Bible
by looking at many translations. An easy way to do this is by pulling up Biblegateway each morning, or evening when you
have study time, and yes…you should be having daily study time!
We’re focusing on
verse 7 today.
verse 7 today.
“The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul;
converting the soul;
The
testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;” Psalm 19:7 NKJV
testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;” Psalm 19:7 NKJV
Here it
is in the Message translation:
is in the Message translation:
“The
revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.
revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.
The
signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.”
signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.”
The
meanings are the same but it’s said in a way that gives you a little different
word picture.
meanings are the same but it’s said in a way that gives you a little different
word picture.
God’s
word is perfect. Whole.
word is perfect. Whole.
The NIV
translation says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the
soul.”
translation says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the
soul.”
I don’t
know about you, but I could stand to be refreshed. The way for that to happen
is by studying the law of the LORD. His Word. Um…yep, the Bible. Not just
skimming it out of obligation. Reading it to meet a yearly goal. But to digest
it, letting it run like oxygen through the blood stream, bringing life to every
organ and limb of your body and then applying what you’ve studied to your every
day life. If you never do that, it’s pointless. It’s just some head knowledge. Big deal.
know about you, but I could stand to be refreshed. The way for that to happen
is by studying the law of the LORD. His Word. Um…yep, the Bible. Not just
skimming it out of obligation. Reading it to meet a yearly goal. But to digest
it, letting it run like oxygen through the blood stream, bringing life to every
organ and limb of your body and then applying what you’ve studied to your every
day life. If you never do that, it’s pointless. It’s just some head knowledge. Big deal.
*A helpful hint: Use your cross-reference if you have
one in your Bible, to study. If not, use the online cross-reference at BibleGateway or
Biblos!
one in your Bible, to study. If not, use the online cross-reference at BibleGateway or
Biblos!
This
verse leads us to Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.” NKJV
verse leads us to Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.” NKJV
I don’t
know about you, but I qualify here. I’m the simple. And I could use some
understanding. Am I the only one? Really? That’s what I thought! Then hang
tight with me a few more paragraphs and let’s bring this joker home!
know about you, but I qualify here. I’m the simple. And I could use some
understanding. Am I the only one? Really? That’s what I thought! Then hang
tight with me a few more paragraphs and let’s bring this joker home!
The key
word here is light. The entrance of light i.e. reading God’s Word, taking it in
and digesting gives light. It gives understanding. I get that. I know what
understanding and entrance mean, but what exactly does the word light mean. Am
I going to implode like a firework? Will I glow like those Fisherprice worms?
word here is light. The entrance of light i.e. reading God’s Word, taking it in
and digesting gives light. It gives understanding. I get that. I know what
understanding and entrance mean, but what exactly does the word light mean. Am
I going to implode like a firework? Will I glow like those Fisherprice worms?
Where
better to get a grip on light but the first time it appears in scripture. At
the beginning. Like we are at the beginning of the year. At the beginning of
the Bible. Genesis. Chapter 1. The beginning.
better to get a grip on light but the first time it appears in scripture. At
the beginning. Like we are at the beginning of the year. At the beginning of
the Bible. Genesis. Chapter 1. The beginning.
“Then God said, “Let there be light”; and
there was light.” Gen. 1:3 NKJV
there was light.” Gen. 1:3 NKJV
God always wanted light. From the beginning. It was the first thing He brought
about. And it’s been a steady topic all throughout the Bible.
about. And it’s been a steady topic all throughout the Bible.
 |
| photocredit: freedigitalphotos/thawats |
He
brought light out to the darkness and separated the two, because light and dark can’t co-exist. They just can’t.
If you bring even the tiniest light to a dark place, it can be seen and it’s
not blinding dark anymore.
brought light out to the darkness and separated the two, because light and dark can’t co-exist. They just can’t.
If you bring even the tiniest light to a dark place, it can be seen and it’s
not blinding dark anymore.
But
before He did that, in verse two, something was happening.
before He did that, in verse two, something was happening.
“And
the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
Why?
“The
earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the
deep.”
earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the
deep.”
 |
| photo credit: freedigitalphotos/VictorHabbick |
But
light was about to come. For the first time.
light was about to come. For the first time.
We have
to ask some questions (that’s what good students do!). What exactly does w/o
form, void and dark really mean?
to ask some questions (that’s what good students do!). What exactly does w/o
form, void and dark really mean?
Without form in the Hebrew is “tohuw”
and it means, “confusion, unreality, emptiness, wasteland, a place of
chaos.”
and it means, “confusion, unreality, emptiness, wasteland, a place of
chaos.”
Void in the Hebrew is “bohuw”
(similar) and it means emptiness, waste
(similar) and it means emptiness, waste
And the
word darkness in Hebrew is
“choshek” and it means, obscurity–which means a state of being
unknown or unimportant.
word darkness in Hebrew is
“choshek” and it means, obscurity–which means a state of being
unknown or unimportant.
But with
one word from The Word (John 1:1-3) it all changed. The Spirit was hovering
over the chaos, that which seemed unimportant, a wasteland, that which seemed
empty. But He saw order. He saw something beautiful and He brought light. (and
He kept on going)
one word from The Word (John 1:1-3) it all changed. The Spirit was hovering
over the chaos, that which seemed unimportant, a wasteland, that which seemed
empty. But He saw order. He saw something beautiful and He brought light. (and
He kept on going)
Do you feel unimportant? Empty? Like your life is a chaotic
wasteland?
wasteland?
The
Spirit is hovering, waiting on the Word to go forth to bring order. Peace. A
purpose to your life. Just say the word and THE WORD will give the command.
Spirit is hovering, waiting on the Word to go forth to bring order. Peace. A
purpose to your life. Just say the word and THE WORD will give the command.
Let the
entrance of His words give you understanding. And light. Light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shines from us inside out. And
it takes the work of the Spirit (sanctification) to do it. It also takes
discipline to crack the book open.
entrance of His words give you understanding. And light. Light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shines from us inside out. And
it takes the work of the Spirit (sanctification) to do it. It also takes
discipline to crack the book open.
2
Corinthians 4:6 says, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out
of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
NKJV
Corinthians 4:6 says, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out
of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
NKJV
The
Message says it like this:
Message says it like this:
“Remember, our Message is not about
ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is
messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light
up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood
God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.”
ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is
messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, “Light
up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood
God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.”
Want to
light up the darkness around us? We can.
The entrance of God’s Words bring order to chaos. Peace to anxiety and fear.
Confidence to doubt. Purpose to a wasteland. Fulfillment to emptiness.
light up the darkness around us? We can.
The entrance of God’s Words bring order to chaos. Peace to anxiety and fear.
Confidence to doubt. Purpose to a wasteland. Fulfillment to emptiness.
And you
know what a person has when they have peace, confidence, purpose and
fulfillment?
know what a person has when they have peace, confidence, purpose and
fulfillment?
JOY
The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Therefore
with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
“…But
the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 This was Jesus talking to
the woman at the well. A woman who had been married five times and was now
living with a man. I see chaos. Lack of purpose. Emptiness. But the Word was at
the well that day.
the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 This was Jesus talking to
the woman at the well. A woman who had been married five times and was now
living with a man. I see chaos. Lack of purpose. Emptiness. But the Word was at
the well that day.
 |
| photo credit: freedigitalphotos/Adamr |
Ephesians 5:8 (MSG) says,”You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer.
You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So
no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these
are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please
Christ, and then do it.”
You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So
no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these
are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please
Christ, and then do it.”
“Awake
you who sleep! Arise from the dead and Christ will give you light.’ Ephesians
5:14
you who sleep! Arise from the dead and Christ will give you light.’ Ephesians
5:14
We’re
cleansed and transformed by the washing of the water of the Word. (Eph. 5:26)
It brings light from darkness (new life from death) and it keeps giving us
light to keep shining in a dark/dead world.
cleansed and transformed by the washing of the water of the Word. (Eph. 5:26)
It brings light from darkness (new life from death) and it keeps giving us
light to keep shining in a dark/dead world.
Which
brings us back to Psalm 119:130 and ultimately our verse we began with today.
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
brings us back to Psalm 119:130 and ultimately our verse we began with today.
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Feel
wiser? I do!
wiser? I do!
Practical application: Study your Bible just
like we did now. Choose one verse. Reflect on it. Then act on it and journal it
at the end of the day.
like we did now. Choose one verse. Reflect on it. Then act on it and journal it
at the end of the day.
What one thing comes to mind right now that you can do
to shine light today? Share it in the comments and use it as accountability to
do
to shine light today? Share it in the comments and use it as accountability to
do
that one thing!
Join me
at Living By Grace. I encourage you to leave a verse about light in the
comments on the FACEBOOK PAGE! Let’s see if we can light it up!
at Living By Grace. I encourage you to leave a verse about light in the
comments on the FACEBOOK PAGE! Let’s see if we can light it up!
*Genesis Bible photocredit: freedigitalphotos/JanakaDharmasen
LOVED LOVE LOVE this!!! Biblegateway is an awesome tool, I've even got the App:) And Strong's concordance–used to own a set when Hubs was in seminary, wish we still had it to page through, but thank goodness for the internet.
You've encouraged me to get back to studying. I love taking apart the word,looking at the Greek and Hebrew, but have been totally lax lately but God's been stoking that fire…like a little light:) That Ephesians 5:8 is sticking with me today. "get on with it!"
Great post, Jess!
I'm glad I could encourage you, Suse! I liked that phrasing too. 🙂
Insightful, as always. I love Biblegateway, and use it often for different translations. Those first two verses in Genesis have forever sparked my imagination. I mean, why would God create something that was characterized by confusion and chaos? I believe something happened in between those verses that the Bible doesn't tell us.
Hmmm, first thing that comes to mind is…serve cheerfully, without complaint, and put others first. Bless you, Jess, and thanks for sharing God's Word. 🙂
Biblegateway offers so much. I love their daily verse, blog and devotions. I try to take full advantage of it. We live in such a great time–where access to tools to help us grow and mature in God are readily available and FREE! 🙂
Great stuff Jess! I love the picture of the Spirit hovering over us, waiting… It reminds me of that verse about God singing over us (Zep 3:17 I think, but I'm too lazy to get up and check). You had a Beth Moore moment here for me today…great breakdown…and of course, great material! 🙂
That was one of my favorite pictures too. I watched Stop and Think video by Francis Chan, you'll have to YouTube it. It was amazing. Truly amazing! It does remind me of Him singing over me! Which always blows my mind.
I need you to post a pic of you beat boxing! Just sayin'. 🙂 I gravitate to many different versions of Scripture, as well. It lends such a rounded picture. My 2013 verse is from NKJV, so I'm right there with you on that one. With this Psalm 19 verse, I love this line, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." God alone converts our souls. It's not up to us. We're the messengers, not the workers of salvation. There's nothing we can say or do that "makes" a person decide whether or not to follow Christ. But lives lived out loud with the Lord's JOY make a huge impact. Hugs!
Maybe I shall send you a video beat-boxing…and you'll cook me a steak on your German smoker too. Bahahahaha! So true. What a great message of hope. We don't have to work to be saved. It's free gift. Man, that's awesome!
I love you. Just…love you! You are such a great light to all of us, especially me. Your joy for the Word and the Lord just bubble up and out into the world.
I just love, love you! 🙂 Thanks, Linds. You are such an encouragement to me!
I think we all qualify as "the simple," compared to God! There's always so much more to learn. I love being a perpetual student of the Bible! Great thoughts today, Jessica!
I think you're right. A perpetual student…I like that! 🙂
I LOVE this, Jess. I love it. Have you ever thought about writing a Bible study? Maybe you already have…anyway, I would buy it and work through it for sure because you just so full of wisdom and insight. Thank you!
And I agree with Donna…I want a photo of you beat boxing. Or better yet, a video.
As for what I can do to share the light today…have a good attitude at work. Things are tense and crazy and wonky in our office at the moment. So much tension. I can't control circumstances, but I can control my response and attitude and hopefully act out of Christ-likeness rather than my initial me-likeness. Haha!
You are so sweet, Tagg! I have written a few studies but nothing I thought about publishing. I have a new & growing believers study that I wrote and we use it at our church. I teach on Wednesday nights. I love, love it! Maybe in the future…we'll see what God has planned! Thank you. And you may get a video when you least expect it and I might even be beat-boxing while Tebowing! Now that'd be something, huh? 🙂
Really enjoyed your post today and even shared again on FB. I try to let my light shine every day, just by trying to be encouraging. Hugs, Susan Fryman
Thank you, Susan. I really appreciate sharing the word. I hope and pray it encourages others! 🙂 Hugs!
Isn't it amazing – God is speaking to SO many of His people, drawing us back to His word? Just amazing!
I need to give up my attitude problem. You're laughing, but I need to give up my right to let something get under my skin and stew on it. The battlefield is in the mind!
I'll have you no I didn't laugh. I may…MAY have giggled for a second! But yeah, that seems to be His running theme lately, doesn't it? Guess we better get on it!
Choose to smile more instead of frown. 🙂 Great post!
Love this thought Jess, "But to digest it, letting it run like oxygen through the blood stream, bringing life to every organ and limb of your body and then applying what you've studied to your every day life." Too often I find myself reading God's Word to check it off my To-Do list. Head knowledge is not what I'm after – I want heart knowledge! God bless!
I could leave some coffee in the pot for others???? sigh. nah. not today 😉
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