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The Blessings of Bible Study (II)

Bible Study Basics - Day 2

The blessings of God's Word flow to those who do their part to receive them. Today, we'll look at more of the blessings of Bible study, and see that we need to meditate, study and obey if we want to be blessed.

God's ignores the words of those who ignore His Word.

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." (Pro. 28:9)

"But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:" (Zec. 7:11-13)

According to Galatians 6:7, we will reap what we sow. That general rule is specifically true when it comes to the Bible. If we refuse to hear what God has to say to us in His Word, He will refuse to hear what we have to say to Him in prayer. Why should He listen to us and do what we ask, when we won't listen to Him and do what He asks? If we neglect His Word, it's crazy for us to expect any real success in life.

God's blesses the diligent student.

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Jos. 1:8)

"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. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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." (Psa. 1:1-3)

Both of these passages encourage us to meditate on God's Word. Don't confuse biblical meditation with sitting on the floor with you legs tied in knots while you chant a mantra. No, biblical meditation is focusing your thinking on an idea and holding it there. The Hebrew word translated meditate is also translated as murmur, or mutter. It is the idea of having a conversation with yourself about something that has grabbed your attention. (We will talk more about how to meditate in a future lesson in this series.)

We are to focus our attention on Bible passages and principles done day and night. That is, thinking deeply and fully about God's Word ought to be our habit. Like the noble Bereans, we must study the Bible with a ready mind and search the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). According to Hebrews 11:6, God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

God made it clear to Joshua that the purpose of his diligent study was that he might do what God said. James makes this same point: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 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: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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." (Jam. 1:22-25) It is the doer of God's Word who will be bless, have good success and prosper in whatever he does.

Points to Ponder

• Can you think of any specific answers to prayer you have had in the in the last three months? If not, is it possible that God is ignoring your prayers because you have been ignoring His Word?
• Do you think long and hard about the Scriptures you read, or just skim over some Bible passage each day so you can feel good about yourself?
• Can you list two specific actions you have taken in the last month in response to something you read in the Bible?

Read More About It

Today, take a look at Psalm 119:33-64 and make note of the blessings of God's Word that you find in the passage.

Posted by Keith | Tue, September 06 | ∞ | Bible Study Basics

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