Meditating on the Law

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Jeremiah 17:5-10 | Psalm 1 | Luke 16:19-31

THE WORD FOR LENT

“Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His law day and night.” - Psalm 1:1-2

When Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert, He overcame the temptations of Satan by quoting the Scriptures (see Luke 4:4, 8, 12).

Jesus told the Pharisees that listening to Moses and the prophets, that is, the Scriptures, has more power to change our hearts than meeting someone raised from the dead (Luke 24:27, 45).

On the day Jesus rose from the dead, He spent the afternoon and evening interpreting the Scriptures (Luke 24:27, 45).

After the first Christian Pentecost, the newborn Church devoted itself to the apostles’ instruction, which was based on the Scriptures (Acts 2:42).

Jerome, the translator of the most famous Latin Bible insisted, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” He was right. Saving, Bible knowledge doesn’t just ‘happen,’ it has to be acquired. During Lent, you are especially encouraged to participate in the discipline of Scripture reading. It will stand you in good stead when the thunder rolls and the stormy waters rise.

Abide in God’s word (John 8:31; 15:7). May it be the “joy and the happiness” of your heart (Jeremiah 15:16).

Prayer: Father, I put your Word on the lampstand of my life so as to give light to all in the house (Luke 8:16).