SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day, and we’re still here on earth, alive and kicking, filled with a burning passion for God! Wow! What an honour! And all God’s people shouted up to heaven a grateful: ‘Thank You Lord! It’s truly good to be alive! We give you all the glory, and praise your Holy Name, now and forever! Amen’ Yes Friends, it’s sure good to be alive, regardless of all the negativity that’s happening in our world, because it gives us a chance to be involved in the great miracle of turning it around, in furthering God’s wonderful kingdom. Anyway, before we get into our Bit, I want to share some info from the scholars re the root and literal meanings of some words used interchangeably to describe God’s Word, especially in Psalm 119. It will give us better insights into what the authors of the Good Book were thinking when they used those words. According to the scholars: ‘The multifaceted character of God’s Word is revealed by at least eight key synonyms for it in the Psalm. (1) Law (torah) is the most frequent of the words. It comes from a verb meaning ‘to teach,’ and thus came to be applied to a wide range of revelation, from an individual directive to the entire Pentateuch (5 Books of Moses – from Genesis to Deuteronomy). It emphasizes that God has taught us in His Word what he requires of us. (2) Testimonies (edot) emphasizes the content of the Word as that which God has testified of Himself and His will. (3) Precepts (piqudim) refers to instructions from a superior regarding the duties of those under him, in this case from God to man. (4) Statutes (huqim) is related to a verb meaning ‘to engrave’ and thus implies permanent and unchangeable regulations. (5) Commandments (mitswot) is a word assuming the authority of the commander and the inherent necessity of obeying the content of the charge. (6) Judgements (mispatim) or ordinances refers to decisions God has made as a judge in order to make earthly behaviour conform to His heavenly standard. (7) Word (dabar) is an all-embracing term for God’s revelation in any form. (8) Word (imra) might also be translated ‘promise,’ though the translation does not distinguish it from the preceding term to whose meaning it relates closely. It comes from the verb ‘to say’ and assumes that the content of revelation is from the mouth of God. Other terms that seem to speak of God’s Word include ways, name, and faithfulness.’ So there we have it Friends, a breakdown of some of the words used to identify God’s communication with us. I sure hope it’s as enlightening to you, as it was to me. Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart.’ Like our Bit yesterday (Ps.119:1) it again tells and/or reminds of how to be blessed by God in this earthly life. We need to conform to the will of God, as written in His Word, and most important of all to seek Him with our whole hearts, with the very fibre of our beings, with everything that we possess. Remember that our first and foremost duty on earth is to glorify God through our words and deeds, and we can only do this by focusing on His Word and sincerely trying to walk humbly and LOVING like Jesus did. And this speech of Moses to the Israelites, re the great commandment, as they were trudging through the wilderness, just out of slavery in Egypt, on the way to the Promised Land, is possibly one of the most memorable and important passages of scripture. ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ (Deut.6:4-9) Oh Friends, yuh see how important the Word of the Lord ought to be in our lives! Wherever we go and whatever we do, it should always be before us, written both physically on something and also indelibly in our hearts. Everything we do should be based upon it. We’re also supposed to teach it to our children and have it circulating in our houses all the time. Hn! But sadly we have fallen down terribly on that aspect and thus our children have not received the proper instruction and guidance, hence their inordinate attachment to the lusts and trifles of this world. Oh my people, we only have ourselves to blame for whatever is taking place in our lives and world today. If we had followed the instructions given by Moses so long ago, we would surely have been living more prosperous lives, not only in terms of earthly possessions, but also in terms of spiritual wealth, close communication with the Father. But it’s NEVER too late to change Friends. As we keep saying, while there’s life there’s ALWAYS hope, so since we’re still alive, let’s seriously set out to raise our hopes and actions and do something positive about our sad and sorry world nuh. If we, believers in Christ want it to change, then WE have to bring about the change. Lucifer and his evil cohorts like things as they are, so they will not try to improve it, only to further destroy it. More on this tomorrow, if we’re still alive and kicking. (smile) Till then, please, let’s truly LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith, and SPREAD His Word. It’s the only way for us to prosper. Much LOVE!…if God’s our be all and end all…then it’s to Him we must turn for help…