We Read by Grace

January 1, here we go...

You may think it is strange to be reading Psalm 1 today. Yet it does have a purpose. Short and chewable, solid and concise. In Titus we learn that it is the Grace of God that teaches us, and so it is that we must be motivated, not by guilt, but by grace. Guilt motivates us to a performance-oriented "Christianity" which is no Christianity at all. Paul calls the Galatians foolish for thinking that they were saved by grace and yet perfected by their works. So, Psalm 1 is to motivate us to live by grace. We come to a great task, to read the whole of God's book to His children. If you have read through the previous emails you will notice the emphasis that God puts on knowing Him and having a real and intimate relationship with Him. And this is heftily accomplished by reading His words. It is a book about Him. Prayer also will be needed to change head-knowledge to heart and life-knowledge. God alone does the work of the heart. We can fill our heads, He must change our hearts to love Him more and our brothers and sisters more.

But know this, the Bible has been left here so that we can know God. This is a high priority to God. So we must realize that it is a high priority to the devil to keep us from it. We will find throughout this year that many things will come up, many time-lobbyists and good activities. But let us not forsake the best for a lesser good. We were made to know Him. Press hard into grace, chew over the words that you read. As the psalmist says, let us meditate on it.

Lastly, the grace part. A more literal translation of the first part of Psalm 1:1 would be "O the blessednesses of the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked." This would describe what we are attempting to attain, to not walk by the words of the this world, but by the words of our all-knowing God! Count the blessednesses! He is not stingy with His children. He gives lavishly and with indescribable generosity. Does He not command all of heaven? Notice then that Ephesians 1 says that the children who are in Christ have received every blessing in the spiritual places! Look under every carpet, every chair, every bookcase, and you will find that those blessings are yours if you come to God through the Son. But the first psalm is talking about counsel. That is why we remember His omniscience, His all-knowingness. He designed us and ordered all our parts to work in fixed ways. He is the architect of humanity, would He not know how to direct it for the best? Darn straight! And He offers us His word. Let us read it and value it, for it holds the words that bring life and light to dark souls!

Praying that you will run well.

When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully,even all the words of this law. "For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 32:45-47