Is your heart delighting in and in awe of the power of God’s words? Are you allowing His word to unfold in your heart and mind so that your soulish patterns change?
In the second to last meditation in Beckoned by the King, these are questions asked in the study, questions that beg to be answered because if you are anything like me, I think we all want to see our soulish pattern change. Instead of reacting in the flesh, we will respond with love, instead of fear and doubt plaguing our soul, faith will rise.
Faith will rise when we meditate and chew on the word of God. When faith rises, doubt ceases, when faith rises, fear flees.
The Hebrew alphabet letter at the beginning of Psalm 119:161-168 is “Shin”. “Shin” represents a chewing tooth, or teeth that consume and destroy.
As our bodies grow and mature, change transforms us. Our mouths, once full of baby teeth, now sport adult teeth, molars that are our chewing teeth. We have grown from needing only milk for nourishment to longing for the meat…of the word of God and our spirit man has grown in order to accommodate that need. We have spiritual chewing teeth, spiritual molars to chew on the word of God.
Chewing on the word of God consumes and destroys the enemy of our souls
I wish we could walk through life without sadness, without fear of those we love getting sick. I wish sometimes, for life to just be smoother and easier, but then I realize my heart would not have the opportunity to stand in awe of His words. (v. 161)
When He breathes His breath of life into me, when He encourages me with His love and strengthens and uphold me with His mighty right hand and when I look back and see how every need I have had has been abundantly supplied, it is then I know His word is greater than gold. I may have silver and gold but only Jesus can supply that which money cannot purchase.
Money will not infuse me with joystrength to face my day, nor will it bring a settled peace to a racing, worried heart. He takes my cares and worries and carries them on His shoulder, He takes me by the hands and gently hoists me up upon His shoulders too! All the day long, He carries me, carries my burden and makes a way for provision.
He speaks peace to my heart and I can chew on His words, drawing nourishment from them as they go down deep inside me to become treasures in my heart.
Suffering and Glory walk together. One cannot be had without the other. Suffering has taught you the necessity of mercy. Mercy given and mercy received. Mercy is compassion and love in action, bringing to fruition that dream for you that I, for eternity have cherished and treasured in My heart for you.
As a child loses its baby teeth, growing molars and larger teeth to chew with, so you have experienced the losses and pains of growth. I have watched and waited as you have encountered times of hardship and indecision, and you have always placed in My hands that which your mind has struggled with. You found rest for your soul as you ceased from your own laboring and simply trusted My word and My faithfulness. My word has given you much to provoke your mind and change your heart. Your course of direction has altered as you have chosen to move closer and be aligned with Truth.
For how else can we be one, save for the choices of your heart and soul to die so that I may live in and through you? How else can we be one, save that you are willing to die that you might live in Me, triumphant, victorious warrior with a girdle of gold about your breast. Joined in death, we live exultantly, expectantly.
The qualities of your heart will be interwoven with gold because you have been in the Refiner’s Fire and have the glory of the Lord God upon you. Always remember, that though you be in the midst of the fire, there you are in the midst of Me, for I Am a consuming fire. You are in the center of My heart and it is burning with passionate love for you.
In the consummation of the fire, we become one in death and life.
He knows the way I take. I am an open book to Him and even with all my quirkiness He loves me. Oh, how He loves us! He has redeemed us, revived us according to His word and poured out His tender mercies over us.
We are redeemed by His blood and washed by the Living Water of His word. Right now He is perfecting all those things that concern me and has prepared a way through the wilderness, directing me onto the Highway of Holiness.
He knows the way I take. He knows my frailty and offers me His joystrength. I am my Beloved’s and He is mine.
Will you walk this high way of holiness with me? Will you let Him refine and purify you so we become His unblemished bride?
Giving Him my heart and soul, offering my body as a living sacrifice.
Linking up with: http://womenwithintention.com/
http://www.faithbarista.com/2015/02/maybe-the-story-that-breaks-us-
Love the food, eating, and nourishment analogy. Keep chewing on His word. May He continue to use you.
Thank you Mary. I will keep chewing and asking Him to use me to make a difference. Glad to have you visit today. Bless you.
This post blessed me on multiple levels dear Jeannie and was filled with words my heart needed to hear today as I grieve for 2 adult children in crisis…your words anchored my HOPE back in Jesus and stirred up faith in my heart.
Deeply grateful for your teaching Jeannie.
Our God knows just what we need and how to get it to us. Glad, so glad Mary, I was obedient to Him today to write these words. Praying for you and your children and thankful God’s arm is not too short that it cannot save to the uttermost.
I also love chewing on the Word! I am your neighbor at CBCE. ~gina
Yes, indeed Gina! Chewing on the word does wonders for our inner man!
Even when I feel I am losing hold of life, God’s words are the comfort and strength I need.
Thank you Jeannie, I enjoyed my stay here. Thank you for coming over to read and leave your kindest comments on my blog. I appreciate your time and commitment.
God Bless and I hope to see you more.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
I enjoyed reading your post Jeannie. I can identify with both the human tendencies of living apart from God’s word and the difference Christ makes when you chew and savor on the Word. I really liked your statement “Faith will rise when we meditate and chew on the word of God. When faith rises, doubt ceases, when faith rises, fear flees.” That’s a powerful and truthful wisdom of the essence of faith. Thanks for a encouraging demonstration of your faith.
Walter, thank you for such a thought filled comment. The statement you like is one that keeps me going to the Word and making a decision over and over again to choose to let my faith rise in spite of what I see or feel. May we live truth.
So often when we read something in scripture that we don’t immediately understand, we blow right on by without another thought. “Chewing” is a great practice that allows the Holy Spirit time to bring us to understanding and application. I always tell my classes that there is no prize for finishing your reading the fastest. If you stay on one verse for a month, but have real understanding and have worked it into your mind and heart, it is time well spent. Thanks Jeannie!!
The working of the Holy Spirit is so amazing as we stay on a verse and allow Him to unwrap it and reveal truth to us. Better still is when He teaches us how to apply His word in everyday life. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Karen.
“When He breathes His breath of life into me, when He encourages me with His love and strengthens and uphold me with His mighty right hand and when I look back and see how every need I have had has been abundantly supplied, it is then I know His word is greater than gold.” Yes and amen! Such an encouraging post!
Glad you came by and were met with encouragement today Carmen!
Even as we grow older, some experts say we lose our “taste buds.” And of course, whether old or young, we taste before we chew and, the more we chew…the more pronounced that taste, the flavor of what we’re chewing on is! I Think you know where I’m headed:
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
When my faithfulness sometimes waver, when anxiety begins to grab me by the throat, I pull out the “honey” and taste the sweetness of God’s words.
I love where you headed Mel! May we cultivate the habit of going into our prayer closets and pulling out the honey and tasting the sweetness of the word of God and finding comfort there. There is nothing better!