Sunday, December 6, 2009

All the Words



Do you ever read or recite something that has become so familiar that you forget to take stock in the meaning of the words? ALL the words?



I found this in myself recently. Almost daily, I find myself praying from Psalm 19. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” I’ve thought long and hard about “the words of my mouth” and “the meditations of my heart.” I’ve pondered about those “being acceptable in Your sight, O Lord.” But just the other day I realized I treat the last part as, well, “throw-away” words, words that simply complete the verse.

But are there any “throw-away” words in Scripture? I found myself asking that question and having to answer no. After all, the Word is living and active, as it says in Hebrews 4:12. So I mulled over these final words of Psalm 19:14 and I realized that acknowledging the Lord as both my strength and my redeemer is significant to my words and thoughts being acceptable in His sight. The Lord is to be the foundation of my words and thoughts. And because He is my redeemer, He gives me the strength to overcome my flesh and act in ways that please a Holy God. Also, I know that when those words and thoughts don’t measure up to His standards, my redeemer abounds in forgiveness.


I’d like to challenge you this week to read with an eye to the words you often skip over in Scripture. Meditate on those words and their place in the meaning of the sentence and see what new illuminations of old truth the Holy Spirit reveals.

Do you already have any favorite “little” words in Scripture that pack a bigger punch than you first imagined? Please share!

10 comments:

  1. This is a really beautiful thought, D'Ann. I'm totally guilty of skimming bits of scripture to get to the 'important' parts. But by doing that, I'm robbing myself of a blessing.

    Two phrases/words I want to do a lesson on are Be wise, and beware. They are used over and over again, and whatever follows is sure to be some good advice.

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  2. Good morning, D'Ann. Thank you for this lovely reminder. Yes, I am so guilty of skimming. I need to remind myself to slow down and absorb each word. Have a blessed Sunday.

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  3. My favorite little words are "In Him we live and move and have our being." I could probably write a whole book about that sentence.

    I was thinking about the word "meditations" in the scripture you mentioned. For some reason for many years I only thought "meditation" applied to my conscious rational thoughts. Probably the more important application, though, especially in this scripture, is what our minds do in our imaginations. That's the place where it is easiest to get drawn away from God.

    Dina

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  4. Yes, be wise and beware would be good studies, Lisa! Those are probably words we tend to skim over.

    I'm glad I'm not alone in this, Suzie!

    Great thoughts, Dina--especially for those of us with over-active imaginations (i.e. writers!).

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  5. Good Morning D'Ann and all,
    Loved this post,D'Ann. I've often wondered after skimming past it many times in the past(John 5:6), what Jesus meant when he asked the invalid at the healing pool, "Do you want to get well?"

    I don't know if I read more into that than I'm supposed to, but working as a counselor I sometimes now think that this verse is much deeper than I originally thought.

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  6. D'Ann, thanks for the devotional today. Boy did I need this reminder to slow down and really think. Part of my conversion story comes from reading Matthew 8, where Jesus healed a leper. It dawned on me that Jesus didn't need to touch the leper in order to heal him; He could've just spokenthe words. Touching the man showed compassion and love. That realization affected my perception of Jesus.

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  7. Hi D'Ann,

    What a wonderful devotional, perfect for a Sunday morning.

    It is so easy just say the words, without mediating on their meaning sometimes.

    Thank you for your words of wisdom this beautiful morning. Have a blessed day.

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

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  8. I love the references to God who "Abounds" in goodness, love, etc. I am not particularly exuberant in my expressions but I love the fact that God abounds in all his love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc.
    Elaine King

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  9. I love that we all notice different things--it again proves how much more there is to God and His word than just one person can grasp!

    "Abounds" is another of those little words! Great reminder, Elaine!

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  10. The only way I can avoid skimming is to switch around my versions. Every year I pick a new translation or version to use as my "read-through-in-a-year" Bible. It helps to refresh my brain as I read over those most loved and familiar verses!

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