Lord’s Day, Vol. 11 No. 53
Give Attendance to Reading (2)
Thank God for the provision for the King James Bible without chapters and verses. We shall be taking time to read through the Old Testament twice in 2024 as a church. This provides a background to understand the New Testament which we shall endeavour to read also twice from January – April 2025.
Let us remember three biblical pointers to aid our reading: (1) Pray (2) Patience (3) Perseverance.
(1) Pray
Let us begin each reading with prayer for the Holy Spirit to illumine our understanding that we may learn of Christ and glorify Him – John 15:26 (KJV) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
This was the psalmist’s prayer for our emulation – Psalm 25:5 (KJV) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
As we take time to begin, the Spirit of God shall be at hand to guide us – 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (KJV) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Also, 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 (KJV) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(2) Patience
The first book we shall read is “The Book of Job”, spanning 28 pages (Pages 570-597) from 1-7 January. The second Book is the “Book of Genesis” spans 59 pages (Pages 1-59) from 8 – 28 January. As we consider the length of the Book of Job without chapters and verses, we observed that it is a much shorter book in length though Job has 42 chapters and Genesis has 50 chapters. It is therefore reasonable to cover the Book of Job in 7 days. Reading 7 pages a day will enable the reader to complete it twice – John 5:39 (KJV) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Acts 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
It takes time to read and meditate upon the Word of God. Find a quiet place without distraction as did Isaac who went out into the field to meditate whom Scripture commended (Genesis 24:63).
A word of encouragement from our Lord Jesus in the parable of the sower – Luke 8:15 (KJV) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
A word of encouragement from the Apostle Paul – Romans 15:4 (KJV) For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Also, Hebrews 6:12 (KJV) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The church in Philadelphiawas commended by the Lord for their steadfastness in keeping the testimony of Christ, termed having “kept the word of my patience” – Revelation 3:10 (KJV) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
(3) Perseverance
The psalmist exemplified this spiritual trait of perseverance in keeping close to God in seeking God early and following hard after Him – Psalm 63:1-8 (KJV) A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
As we tarry with the Lord and walk with Him, He imparts His wisdom to guide us in our walk termed as (4) Prudence and (5) Peace (6) Praise
(4) Prudence
Solomon rightly observed the blessings of persevering in the meditation of Scriptures is the imbibing of God’s wisdom, prudence is the wisdom of ordering our lives according to the will of God – Proverbs 2:1-7 (KJV) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
(5) Peace
The power of God’s Word to grant peace in the heart is an immeasurable blessing. This is a restful state of the heart that God imparts to the soul that tarries with Him – Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Also, Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(6) Praise
The prosperity of the soul, the rejoicing of the heart comes together – Joshua 1:8 (KJV) 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.
May His blessings be richly outpoured! Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee