Over the course of a series of
blogs we are outlining two reasons why heeding the Bible is going to be at the
foundation of our life together as a church.
From our previous blogs we saw that the first reason was that the Bible
is at the foundation of our life together because it is God’s word. In this blog we will continue to outline the
second reason…because the Bible is trustworthy and true.
The
difference the truth makes…to life now as God’s saved people…
From
Psalm 119 I have picked out 9 differences having this trustworthy and true word
of God at the foundation of our life together as a church will make. We will look at 1 each day over 9 days…
9 – Hearing and Heeding God’s
word leads a life where we Cling to this word no matter what because that
what sheep do…
I
love how this Psalm ends. It is in some
ways unexpected. For some 175 verses we
have a picture of a vibrant, healthy, growing, mature attitude to God’s
word. The Psalmist is our model – this
is what it looks like to ‘heed God’s word’ And yet he ends the Psalm in a
fragile way…verse 176…I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your
servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
We
have seen what life to the full looks like…it is one that loves God’s word…that
is committed to it…a learner …obedient …honest …aware …passionate …fearless
…peaceful…but above all…we get the nub of it here in the last verse…it is to
know that God has sought us like a shepherd does a stray sheep…that we have heard
his voice…the voice of the good shepherd…and
our job is simple…follow…follow his voice…
There
are a lot of things that can pull us away from that voice…great joys and and
great sadness…temptations and even the banal…But the Christians answer and our
church’s answer to whatever life throws at us…is simple…but not glib…. V.151…Yet
you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. Whatever comes…I am to
heed to voice of the shepherd!
One
of aspects of my job is to conduct Funerals…to tell you the truth I hate
them…and why not…what’s to love?? But
that is where you see the sheer power of this word!!!
To
be able to stand in the midst of the deepest possible pain…to stand before
blank faces and silent mouths …and to speak God’s eternal…trustworthy word…is a
wonderful thing…every time I walk into a funeral service…I remember how
powerless I feel…but how wonderful are God’s words!
Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me…
PRAY THAT WE WOULD BE A
CONGREGATION FOUNDED ON HEEDING THIS WORD
