Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image picturing candy canes, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.  This second week's verses are focused on Love. 

Today's Scripture is Psalm 119:105-106.  In the actual study, this one was from December 11 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.

S= "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
"I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments."  (Psalm 119:105-106)

O= This psalm was born out of the Psalmist's love for the written Word of God.  Here he says that God's Word is a lamp to his feet, and also that it's a light to his path.  

Believer's Bible Commentary says, "The Word guides negatively by forbidding certain behavior patterns.  And it guides positively by showing the right way.  How much we owe to the friendly beams of this lamp1"

Proverbs 6:23, a cross-reference, says, "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life."  To get the most from this verse, we must look at the one just before it in Proverbs 6:22: "When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."

Of these verses, so closely related to Psalm 119:105, William MacDonald gives us the following insights: 

"Obedience to God's Word affords:
guidance -- when you roam, they will lead you
protection -- when you sleep, they will keep (guard) you
instruction -- when you awake, they will awake, they will speak with you."

Verse 23 "amplifies the previous one:
The commandment is a lamp -- for guidance
The law is a light -- for protection
reproofs on instruction are the way of life -- for teaching."

See how they line up?  Fascinating!

The psalmist goes on to add in verse 106 that he has sworn to keep God's righteous judgments, and he intends to perform what he has vowed to do.  

Believer's Bible Commentary continues, "Here is a holy determination to obey the Holy Scriptures.   This is for the glory of God, for the blessing of others, and for our own good as well."

A= I need to shine the light of God's Word on my path.  Read it, study it, and allow God to speak to me and guide me through His Word.  

I need to commit myself to obeying God's Word, and to follow through on my commitments for my own good, for the good of others, and for the glory of God.

P= "Lord, I thank You for Your Word!  I praise You that it can be a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.  Yet I know it cannot guide me if I don't spend time reading it.  I praise You that You have given me the desire to commit to reading and studying Your Word every day.  Thank You for helping me to keep that commitment and to spend time in the Bible daily.  Help me not only to read it and study it, but to apply what I read and to follow its instruction in obedience to You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

And that is our very simple study for today!  Sometimes we need to get back to basics.  I hope it's been a blessing to someone.