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The Benefits of the Word

Last week we started looking at the benefits of God’s word in our lives. As we began to look at one of the promises from the word we turned course to first look at our devotion to God and His word. The main question that came up is – how devoted are we to God and His family?

Do we want to see God move as He did with the early church? Then there is probably a new level of commitment we need in our lives.

We would be hard pressed to see the devotion, dedication, and commitment in the Body of Christ today as was seen in the first century. The average attendance of the weekly gathering of “Christians” is 1.8 times per month. That really doesn’t qualify as weekly…

Acts 2 tells us –

Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house.

– Acts 2:46a

That’s quite a commitment. I’ll leave this thought with us as I move on with the benefits. Daily get into God’s presence and listen for what He wants you to do… and then do it.

Proclamation and Promise

Prosperity and success come from reading, meditating on and obeying the word of God.

(8) “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

– Joshua 1:8 CSB

Personality

God’s word can affect our personality. When it captures our attention and focus it brings blessing and delight to our lives.

(1) How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! (2) Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. (3) He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

– Psalm 1:1-3 CSB

The person who meditates on God’s word is happy. This is because he meditates on the Lord’s instruction. He doesn’t get caught up with the ways of the wicked, sinner or mocker. But he walks in the way of the Lord.

Because of his walk, whatever he does prospers. He bears fruit and is full of life. But it is not his life. This life comes from the streams of living water. It is an abiding life where he is connected to the vine.

Profit

While being rebuked is painful, it is sometimes necessary to become aware of sin in our lives. Who likes to be told they are wrong… Nobody. But what can happen after this is profitable to our learning.

(16) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, (17) so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB

All Scripture is profitable. It is inspired by God. It rebukes us, corrects us and teaches us. This process trains us in righteousness and makes us complete. We are equipped for every good work.

Priorities

How did Jesus overcome temptation and defeat the devil? Matthew 4:1–11

This question always comes up as we look at Matthew 4. In the past I have probably concentrated more on the detail of the conversation than the bigger picture.

Yes, the Scripture Jesus quoted refuted how the devil was reframing the word. He kept true to the way of God with these three points.

  1. Man lives by the Word of God, every word.
  2. Man is not to test the Lord.
  3. Man is to worship and serve God only.

But as we move backwards we see that Jesus fasted for forty days. That is pretty intense. But even more than the way of God (His Word), and hungering for God (fasting) is the communion with God. Jesus was empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.

All of these are necessary in the life of the believer.

  1. The Word of God
  2. Spiritual hunger for God
  3. Communion with God through His Spirit

Purity

How can we be unstained by the world and be clean? By keeping God’s word.

(9) How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word. … (11) I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

– Psalm 119:9, 11 CSB

King David tells us how we can experience victory over sin. We keep our way pure by keeping God’s word. We treasure the Word of God in our hearts. We store it in our hearts and minds, so that we may not sin.

Payoff

Does it pay to keep reading the word of God? Did I need to read it more than once? Absolutely.

I have been working on getting up to speed on ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Saving) to be an instructor. I have gone over it a lot, but I need more.

This is like our walk with the Lord. We do not need to just be familiar with the material, we need to be to the point that we can teach it and even more live in it.

Knowing the “material” is what leads us to knowing God. However, it isn’t just the written word that we need to know, but we need to know the living Lord. We must live in Him because He is where we have our being. This is the new life.

The Psalms and Proverbs tell us of some of the benefits to this new life.

(98) Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. (99) I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. …

– Psalm 119:98-100 CSB

God’s word brings wisdom, insight and understanding to the believer. These benefits surpass their enemies, teachers, and elders.

(105) Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. …

– Psalm 119:105 CSB

God’s word guides the believer.

(165) Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.

– Psalm 119:165 CSB

Those who love God’s word are surefooted. They have abundant peace.

(20) My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. (21) Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.

– Proverbs 4:20-22 CSB

God’s word is life and health to those who find them. We are to pay attention and not lose sight of them. We are to store them in our heart.

Wrap Up

What do you learn about God? What has He done?

  • God has given us His word so that we might know Him.  
  • His word when meditated on, stored, shared, and obeyed makes humans complete and equipped for His work.

What do you learn about people? Yourself?

  • God’s word is life and health to those who find them.  
  • We gain wisdom, insight and understanding as we follow the Word.
  • We overcome sin by storing God’s word in our heart.
  • We have peace as God’s word guides us and trains us in righteousness.
  • We prosper and produce fruit because we meditate on and obey God.

These things are necessary in the life of the believer.

  • The Word of God – we are to live by it.
  • Spiritual hunger for God – we must pursue Him, not test Him.
  • Communion with God through His Spirit – we are to worship Him only.

How are you going to obey this passage (“I will…”)?

Father give us a hunger for Your Word. Show us how to truly be devoted.

Who will you share this with?

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