 Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!
What is more beneficial than fine gold? What tastes sweeter than honey? Consider the rules of personal conduct given to us by the Lord. His precepts have greater value than the most precious commodity in the world. Review of his law can renew your soul and bring it back to its original function. Psalm 19:9 (ESV) 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. Yes, God's rules have great value in every day life. But it has a deeper affect on the position of your heart, mind and soul. It can revive and refresh your soul when all seems lost. Respect for God's law has come under attack in this century. His word has been seen as useless, flawed and a collection of fairy tales. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary 7–11 The revelation of God’s law is clearer than the revelation in nature. Nature “declares,” “proclaims,” “pours forth,” and “displays” the revelation of God’s majesty, wisdom, and power. However, the revelation of the law is greater. It is greater because it is given by the covenant God, whose name is Yahweh (“LORD,” vv. 7, 8, 9), whereas nature reveals the glory of the Creator-God (El, v. 1; see the appendix to Ps 22: Yahweh Is El). It is also greater because of the comprehensive nature of the revelation. This is brought out by the choice of the synonyms for God’s revelation: “law,” “statutes” (v. 7); “precepts,” “commands” (v. 8); and “fear,” “ordinances” (v. 9; see appendix below). The synonyms are not to be studied in abstraction but give a comprehensive emphasis that all of the words of the Lord are beneficial. Although the benefits of natural revelation are with us on a daily basis (day, night, heat [vv. 2, 6]), how much greater are the comprehensive benefits of God’s revelation in the law! The list of four benefits (vv. 7–8) is given to encourage the godly to embrace the law of God as an expression of his wisdom. The rewards (v. 11) of responsiveness to the revelation of God are compared to gold (v. 10; cf. Prov 3:13–18; 8:19) and to honey (cf. Prov 16:24). The benefits are set forth propositionally (vv. 7–9). First, God’s word “revives”(cf. v. 7). Its restorative quality gives healing to the whole person by assuring forgiveness and cleansing and by giving life to the godly. It unleashes the promises of God by his gracious redemptive acts (80:3, 7, 19). Second, God’s word is the source of “wisdom” to all who are ready to receive it (v. 7; cf. 119:130; Prov 21:11). Both the inexperienced (“the simple,” v. 7; cf. Prov 1:4) and the wise develop as they begin with “the fear of the LORD” (v. 9; cf. Deut 4:10; Prov 1:7) and embrace the will of God in all aspects of life (cf. Prov 1:2–6). Third, God’s word gives “joy” (v. 8a). The heartfelt joy is equivalent to inner peace and tranquility, as one loves God with all his heart, i.e., with his innermost being. Fourth, God’s word gives “light to the eyes” (v. 8b). The internal joy radiates through the eyes. It expresses the joy of being alive and of receiving God’s blessings (cf. 13:3). Thus Yahweh has made the sun for light in creation and has given his word for light in redemption. Do you feel his joy today? If not, consider His law to help restore your soul. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, pp. 181–182). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 4 Or just decrees x Ps. 119:142, 151, 160 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 19:9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Bible Nuggets are written for pastors, youth leaders and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.
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Rest in the Vineyard! This week marks two months in our current flat in the vineyard. It has been such a joy to live on the farm and watch the operations day by day. Currently the pruning process is going on and it is an amazing picture as you see above. They completely "clean" the vine for next years harvest. Hundreds of shoots are removed to focus future growth and make it more productive.
My personal picture of John chapter 15 has fresh meaning as we watch the process. It makes me think of my own life and the clutter of activity that can sometimes dominate my heart and mind. I can see why God the Father will prune each life so that the future fruit is better. But I must admit that we have had a special privilege to visit the homes of the farmers in the area. At their request we spend several hours opening the Word of God and giving them insight into the Bible. They had heard from the German volunteers about the substance of our studies and they wanted to hear also. That Saturday sparked a firestorm of questions about how to read the Bible. Almost every day Johan comes by our flat and asks additional questions from our study. He says, I see there is so much more in the Bible than I understood. I never looked deeper still until this exercise! I was skiing across the Bible. We plan another study this weekend. We only have two weeks left before we fly to Zambia. He wants to do as much as we can until we leave. This weekend we will look at the world before the flood of Noah and after the flood. What is different? Johan's discussions with other believers has surfaced a group who wants to know more. Johan said, you are coming back next year aren't you? We must plan to do more studies next time. Thank you for the prayers and support. We are being pruned in the vineyard. Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com _________________________ Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this post in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions.  A Kingdom Leader is keenly aware that God is placing him in the position to influence and affect events in the lives of others. Meetings and proceedings of daily life are not random but purposeful events. There are many activities that are directly encouraged and allowed by God the Father.
Has the Lord brought someone new into your life this week? Has he surfaced a prior relationship and connected you with someone you have not seen for many years? Do you recognize a role for you in the life of these people? Can you be the encouragement they need to step out in leadership? Are you positioned to be a catalyst in their mind, heart and soul? Is your ear open to hear from the Lord? Samuel was willing to allow the Lord to uncover his ear and speak to him in secret. He was to perform a powerful function in the life of this future leader. God knew the exact time Saul would come because God would send him. 1 Samuel 9:15–16 (ESV) 15 Now the day before Saul came, sthe Lord had trevealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, uand you shall anoint him to be prince3 over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. vFor I have seen4 my people, because their cry has come to me.” Very few leaders aspire to take the leadership reins in a church, community or organization. Stepping into that role will almost always cost you something. Most people are comfortable with their life and do not want to expose themselves to the examination, second guessing and ridicule of leadership. This is especially true in spiritual leadership. You struggle against powers that you can not see. Allow God to uncover your ear today. Pass on His message! Cathy and Danny Sartin www.deeperstillmissions.com ________________________ s ch. 15:1; [Acts 13:21] t Ruth 4:4 u ch. 10:1 3 Or leader v Ex. 2:25; 3:7, 9 4 Septuagint adds the affliction of The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Sa 9:15–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa. Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world. Re-Prints: Deeper Still Missions devotionals are protected by international copyright laws. To request reprint permission contact the offices of DSM. Permission is granted and encouraged to forward this email in its entirety to others without making any changes or deletions. |
Danny SartinFour decade veteran of youth ministry in churches, Youth For Christ and now is the Founder and Executive Director of Deeper Still Missions. Danny and his wife Cathy spend most of their time mentoring missionaries in Africa, Europe, Central America and North America. Future opportunities include South America and the Asia Pacific area. Archives
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