THE BIBLE IS MY DELIGHT!
Written By: Pastor Shawn Shockley
Associate Pastor, Key West Church Of God
{All
Scripture References from the Authorized King James Version}
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is
the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way
of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be
like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
INTRO:
The subject of the Psalmist in this text is the Word of God. He starts out by
telling us, Living according to the words and reports of the ungodly will lead
us and push us away from God. He is saying, walking according to the counsel of
the ungodly will cause us to live lives absent of God’s blessing.
There is one thing that I do not want to do in my life, and that is live my life
away from God, and away from His blessing. I want God’s blessing to be a reality
in every area of my life and ministry. I want to be blessed!
Therefore, I pay extra close attention to verse 2. For Verse 2 tells me how I
can find God’s blessing in my life. Verse 2 contains the door to a place in
which you and I can realize God’s blessing. The door to this place of Blessing
is the Word of The Lord.
The Psalmist said:
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is
the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way
of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be
like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Saints, blessings are a direct result of our delight in the Word of God. When
our delight is the Word of God, God will cause:
1. Our lives To be Established Strong in Him
2. Our lives to Bear Fruit for Him.
3. Our Joy never to wither.
4. Our lives to be a Prospering Success in and for His Kingdom.
All of this takes place in a life that delights in the Word of the Lord.
I don’t know about you but I have chosen to make the Word of God my delight!
When I speak of the Word of the Lord today, I am of course talking about the
Bible that ought to be near and dear to your heart.
Some say that this book just contains the Word of God, to say that is to imply
that some of the words recorded here are not God breathed, and Holy Ghost
inspired, But I declare unto you and anyone else that wants to listen this book
doesn’t just contain God’s word, But IT IS GOD’S WORD.
From Cover to Cover, From Book, to Book. From Old Testament, to New Testament
From Writer to Writer it’s ALL the WORD OF GOD, For every single word of this
precious work is God Breathed, and Holy Ghost Inspired. For every punctuation
mark is God Breathed, and Holy Ghost Inspired. For every Jot and Title is God
Breathed, and Holy Ghost Inspired.
THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD AND I DELIGHT IN IT!!!!
I.
GOD IS THE SOURCE OF THIS BOOK:
Today I can make the claims that I just made, and the declarations I just made
about this Blessed Book for 1 reason, and that is that God is the Source of this
Book.
As I have already clearly communicated, This Book is God Breathed, and Holy
Ghost Inspired. Not a word in this book was derived by man, but all of it was
produced from God's heart and mind.
God is the Solitary Source for this Book.
2 Tim 3:16 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Saint’s we must understand that God’s desire is that our doctrine and lives be
perfect, therefore He could not, nor would not leave those two things in the
hands of man. He knew that if our doctrine and our lives were to be perfect then
it must be His Word that we Teach, Preach, and Proclaim. If our lives and
doctrine are to be perfect, then it must be His Word that Reproves us, Instructs
us, and Corrects us.
Therefore God is the Inspiration, and Source of all Scripture
“That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
God is The Source of All The Words of This Book
That’s why Paul told the Thessalonians:
1 Thess 2:13For this
cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of
God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is
in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe.
At this point, the argument always comes up, How can we be so sure we have God’s
inspired word? How can we be so sure that God is the Source of the Bible, since
it was man that wrote it?
First of all, I would say to those with this argument. The men that wrote this
Book were not like a lot of Christians in our day, These men didn’t just claim
to Love God they Actually Loved Him.
Secondly, These men weren’t out to prove anything to anybody. These men had no
hidden agenda’s. They were not trying to work their way to the top in some
denomination. They had no intentions of building a mega Church, or even making a
lot of Money. They we not trying to be on the cutting edge of their day. They
weren’t out to get ahead in anything in life, for in most cases this Book cost
them their lives. These selfish ambitions didn’t even cross their mind.
The only thing that was on their minds was doing what God called them to do. The
only thing that was on their minds was sharing the Good News of The Gospel with
a world that was wickedly winding themselves toward Hell.
We know that doing what God called Him to do, and doing that as God ordained and
directed was the only thing on Paul’s mind for he wrote:
1 Cor 2:1 And I,
brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom,
declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any
thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in
weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching
was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in
the power of God.
Yes Men penned the Words, but the Inspiration, and the Words themselves are from
God who is the source of this blessed Book.
1 Pet 1:19 We have
also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star
arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
God is the Source of this Book and I delight in it.
I delight in this Book Because:
II. IT IS A BOOK OF:
1.
PROMISE:
In the Bible, He
Promises us:
a. Forgiveness:
1 Jn 1:9 If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
b. Freedom:
Jn 8:32 And ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
c. Eternal Life:
Jn 3:16 For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
d. Sonship:
Jn 1:12 But as many
as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:
e. Deliverance From Afflictions:
Psalm 34:19 Many are
the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
f. Comfort in Chaos:
Isa 43:2 When thou
passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they
shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be
burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy
God,...
g. Protection:
Prov 30:5 Every word
of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him
h. Meet Our Needs:
Phil 4:19 But my God
shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
i. Answer Prayer:
Mk 11:24 Therefore I
say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye
receive them, and ye shall have them
j. Everything Would Work Out For Good:
Rom 8:28 And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.
k. Rest:
Mat 11:28 Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
l. To Guide Me:
Jn 16:13 Howbeit when
he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:....
m. Wisdom:
Psalm 19:7 ... the
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
n. His Presence:
Matt 18:20 For where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
o. To Return For The Faithful:
Jn 14:2 In my
Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go
to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
I delight in this Book, for it’s a Book of Promises
I also delight in this Book because it’s a Book of Prayer:
2.
PRAYER:
That’s right, this is a Book of prayer.
I already told you that one of the Promises that God has delivered to us is that
He would hear and Answer Prayer, I Delight in this Prayer Book.
FOR What an encouragement to my Prayer life to witness a Praying People, and an
Answering God. YOU SEE, My confidence in Prayer is a result of what I have
witnessed and read in this Book of Prayer.
I Read where:
- Noah prayed, and God put a Rainbow of Promise in the Sky.
- Abraham Prayed, and God Promised Him a Son.
- Abraham Prayed Again, and again for the next 24 years, and God gave Him a Son.
- Abraham Prayed Again, and God spared his nephew Lot from Sodom’s destruction.
- Jacob Prayed, and God changed his name from Cheater to Prince with God.
- Moses Prayed, and God worked 10 plagues in Egypt.
- Moses Prayed again, and the Red Sea rolled back.
- Moses Prayed again and Manna flew in.
- Moses Prayed again and God split a Rock giving water to a million 1/2 people.
- Moses Prayed again and the quail came.
- Moses Prayed again and kept God from destroying Israel because of
disobedience.
Then I read about Moses understudy Joshua praying.
- Joshua Prayed, and the walls of the City came Down.
- Joshua prayed again, and God said you won’t win the next battle because
there’s sin in camp.
- Joshua prayed again, and cleaned the sin out.
- Joshua prayed again, and the Battle belonged to the Lord.
- Joshua prayed again and the Sun and the Moon stood still.
- Samson prayed, and God gave him a 2nd chance, and he put his hands on the
pillars and pulled down the temple of dagon.
- Hannah Prayed and God gave Fruit to her womb, and Samuel was Born.
- David prayed, and God forgave him for the sin of adultery, and murder.
- Zacharias prayed and God gave the old man a son named John the Baptist.
Then I read about a man named Jesus who prayed.
- Jesus prayed, and the next day went and picked His disciples.
- Jesus prayed again, and Lazurus Came forth.
- Jesus prayed again, and he fed a multitude with a little boy’s lunch.
- Jesus prayed again, and He drank the bitter cup in the Garden of Gethsemene.
- Jesus prayed again Father Forgive them, into thy hands I commit my Spirit, it
is Finished, and after that prayer He took a thief by the hand and led him into
paradise.
3 days later a stone moved in the garden, and Jesus came out with key’s rattling
in His hand declaring that you and I could live forever.
- Jesus prayed, and He told His disciples to go pray, and that’s exactly what
they did, they prayed in the upper room, and after ten day’s of praying the Holy
Ghost showed up and filled the house and their lives, and the Church was birthed
in prayer.
Then the Church begin to pray;
- The Church prayed, and they were persecuted.
- The Church prayed again, and the place where they were was shaken, and they
were filled with the Holy Ghost.
- They prayed again and they were persecuted some more.
-They Prayed again, and God sent an angel into the Prison to let Peter out.
-They Prayed again, and the Holy Spirit moved them out of Jerusalem, into Judea,
and Samaria, and in to the utter most parts of the Earth.
Now being scattered all over the place, they were making a difference, for they
were a people of purpose, and a people of power, because they were a People
PRAYER.
I want to declare to you today that it is a blessing and a delight to read this
Book of Prayer.
I also delight in this Book because it’s a Book of Power:
3.
POWER:
This is a Book of Power. For the Words in this Book have Power:
a. To Pierce Our Hearts, and Convict our Thoughts:
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart.
b. To Consume Sin, and Crush Our Will:
Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that
breaketh the rock in pieces?
c. To Save:
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek.
d. To Sanctify:
Jn 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
e. Over Fear:
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind
f. Over Sickness:
Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them,...
g. To Stabilize Us:
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
h. To Tread On The Enemy:
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and
over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you
The Book that you have in your possession is a Book that Contains POWER.
I don’t know about you, but I delight in this Book of Promise, Prayer, and Power
today. The Psalmist said a blessed man, is a man that Delights in the Word of
God!
If you delight in God’s word today, there are several things that you will do.
1. You will HEAR it.
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of
God,....
2. You Will Keep It.
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God,
and keep it.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly....
3. Study It:
2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
4. Obey It:
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a
man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and
goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed.
If you Delight in the Word of God,. Lastly You Will:
5. Proclaim it:
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
