Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:44:32 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna Apr. 26-BP: Ps. 19; RBTTY: Lk. 19:1-27; II Sam. 23-24
April 26 “Blessed Meditations and Mouths”
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
Even in the spiritual realm, “What goes in also comes out.”
Many years ago when computers began to make their presence known, programmers had an acronym known as “G.I.G.O.” This stood for “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” Simply put, they were showing that glitches in computer programs were more with the ones programming them than they were on the installed software or hardware.
Although King David knew nothing about computers or G.I.G.O., in reality, today’s Manna is his spiritual version of that truth. And, although Jesus later said, “It’s not what goes in the mouth that defiles a man; it’s what comes out” (Mt. 15:11), He was dealing more with ritual or ceremonial uncleaness than He was the importance of “hiding God’s Word in our hearts” (Ps. 119:11).
The anonymous author(s) of Ps. 1 knew the importance of God’s Word. That’s why he said, “But his delight (Heb. ‘chephets’—‘pleasure, a valuable thing, that which is desirable, pleasant, pleasurable, etc.’) is in the law of the Lord and in His law does he meditate (Heb. ‘hagah’—‘to ponder, study, reflect upon, contemplate, lit., to chew the cud, etc.’) both day and night” (v.2).
Thus, it’s likely David had this in mind when he talked about “the meditation of his heart being acceptable in the Lord’s sight.” We can’t focus on “garbage” all day long and expect our thoughts and words to be “acceptable (Heb. ‘ratsown’—‘to delight in, be acceptable, favored, desired, be pleased with, etc.’)in God’s sight.” Or, another way to put it is this: We can’t fill our minds with the world’s “trash” and have our mouths be filled with God’s “Treasure.” Garbage-minds and gutter-mouths always go together.
But, when we “study to show ourselves approved (Grk. ‘dokimos’—‘acceptable, proven, tried-and-true, tested, etc.’) unto God” (II Tim. 2:15a), we can always rest assured that we’ll “need not be ashamed, for we rightly divide (Grk. ‘orthotomeo’—‘to make a straight cut, dissect correctly, accurately present, etc.’) the Word of Truth” (II Tim. 2:15b). Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, do you daily “hide God’s Word in your heart”? Have you reached the point where you “incarnate” His Word, instead of struggling to just memorize a few verses? Do you “hunger and thirst” after His Word, knowing that, in so doing, the Risen Lord will intimately commune with you through His Spirit?
Let’s put it this way: If you were on a desert island with all the modern conveniences (e.g., food, shelter, electricity, running water, satellite hookup and cell phone capability, etc.), but could only have one piece of property, what would it be? Think about it: You could only have one “possession,” what would it be? If you said without hesitation or reservation, “God’s Word,” then you understand today’s Manna; if not, do not rest until you do.
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
No comments:
Post a Comment