Meditate on the Instruction of the LORD

“²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

I have studied he above verse on numerous occasions and as is usual God has led me to something new. We are to delight in the law and we are to meditate on this law. But what I see this morning in this verse is the definition of the law in this context. You see, the law of the LORD here is “instruction” as noted in the meanings or definitions found in my ESV Bible. In my Christian Standard Bible (CSB) the verse says, “his delight is in the LORD’s instruction”.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul provides Timothy with the same as relates to scripture or Law of the LORD.

“¹⁶All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

God’s Word is not just the law that we are to follow, it is the instruction book as to how to carry ourselves through this world. Whether it be The Ten Commandments, how to pray, how to engage with the Word of God, or how and when to worship, God’s Law is there to guide us and instruct us through it all.

I know that I knew this. I study God’s Word to learn how to approach this world and work my way through it as God intends. Where I know that I am a sinner and have much more to learn, I also know that God is leading me to be better and more like Him every day. This is only possible through the instruction that I receive as I read, study, know, and understand His Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Do you see it as the law? What if you were to see it as instruction on how to carry out your life here in this world?

Follow the Direction of Elders

This morning I find myself in 1 Samuel looking through the passage of the anointment and proclamation of Saul as king. We have a situation where Saul is chosen and then anointed and then proclaimed to be king at the direction of Samuel from the LORD.

Saul was told how things would go down and he, Saul, only needed to heed the directions and it would all come about.

“⁶Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. ⁷Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” – 1 Samuel 10:6-7 (ESV)

Here we see that Samuel gave instruction and Saul would follow through with it. But these instructions did not just come from anyone. Samuel was the priest and revered in his work with the LORD. And therefore the instruction was coming from a trusted source and should be followed.

I find myself in a position of needing instruction. As a part of a discipleship group. I seek the advice and instruction from those in the group. The presumed leader of the group is one of our pastors with the church and therefore considered to be more in concert with the LORD as he is well studied and a teacher of God’s Word. I see him as an elder and look for instruction from him.

We should all find someone that we can listen to as a teacher and elder to follow. But, we have to be careful and identify the person of the LORD and not a person of great personality. It is easy to be swept up by the dynamics of the individual. It is not about the person, but about their understanding of the Word of God and how that applies to our lives individually. The instruction that comes from them should be for the glory of God and not for the glory of the person.

Once we have found the person to provide the instruction, it is up to us to follow that instruction and know that the LORD will provide, but in His due time and not our own.

Who are you listening to for instruction? Are you listening to your peers or those in similar situations as you? What if you found an elder and followed their instruction as led by the LORD?

Truth, Wisdom, Instruction, and Understanding

This morning as I continue my study of the word “father” I am led to Proverbs 23. As usual, God had plans for me and my learning this morning. Too often I go into something expecting one thing and receiving something entirely different.

“²³Buy truth, and do not sell it;

buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”

— Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)

Where yes, if you look at the verses before and after the above, there are the references to “father”, I also see that which is in the one verse above, and that is truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

It is not a coincidence that Solomon asked for wisdom from God and not riches. It is too often that we go looking for the quick “fix” to what seems to be working against us. I know that I just want things to be over as opposed to understanding them. Yet, God, our Father, is glad in us when we are wise.

“²⁴The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;

he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.”

— Proverbs 23:24 (ESV)

And it is more than just wisdom that we should be seeking. It is truth and instruction and understanding as well.

I pay attention to politics for the purpose of understanding what is there and what is coming. In doing so, I have to spend a lot of time sifting through the deception, half-truths, and outright lies that are presented. It does not matter the side of the aisle you are on, there is plenty of it to go through. And yet, there are those who are allowing themselves to be duped as they accept what they are told and do not seek with wisdom for the truth and understanding. They are averse to the instruction as it is easier and faster just to take everything at the word of those speaking.

Our Father wants us to seek the truth with wisdom through instruction to gain understanding. When we do, we are blessed with discernment and can then act according to God’s plan.

What are you accepting from others? Are you allowing others to dictate what you know? What if you were to seek truth using wisdom through instruction to gain understanding of God’s plan and how you might execute His plan?