How to Read God's Word
Andrew Murray emphasizes the importance of reverent, attentive, and purposeful reading of God's Word to fully grasp its spiritual depth and guidance.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the importance of reading God's Word with reverence, careful attention, and the expectation of the Holy Spirit's guidance. He encourages believers to meditate on Scripture, understanding that it comes from God and requires deep contemplation to grasp its spiritual meaning. Murray highlights the necessity of keeping God's Word in our hearts and lives, as exemplified by David's love for the law of the Lord. He urges readers to approach the Bible with a firm purpose to let it influence their daily lives and actions. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a heartfelt commitment to understanding and living out God's teachings.
Text
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." - Psalm 1:1-2.
Here are some simple rules for Bible reading.
Read God's Word with great reverence. Meditate a moment in silence on the thought that the words come from God Himself. Bow in deep reverence. Be silent unto God. Let Him reveal His Word in your heart.
Read with careful attention. If you read the words carelessly, thinking that you can grasp their meaning with your human understanding, you will use the words superficially, and not enter into their depths. When a person tries to explain anything wonderful or beautiful to us, we give our entire attention to try to understand what is said. How much higher and deeper are God's thoughts than our thoughts. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). We need to give our undivided attention to understand even the superficial meaning of the words. How much harder to grasp the spiritual meaning?
Read with the expectation of the guidance of God's Spirit. It is God's Spirit alone that can make the Word a living power in our hearts and lives. Read Psalm 119. Notice how earnestly David prays that God will teach him, and open his eyes, and give him understanding, and incline his heart to God's ways. As you read, remember that God's Word and God's Spirit are inseparable.
Read with the firm purpose of keeping the Word day and night in your heart and in your life. The whole heart and the whole life must come under the influence of the Word. David said: "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97). And so in the midst of his daily work, the believer can cherish God's Word in his heart and meditate on it. Read Psalm 119 again, until you accept God's Word with all your heart, and pray that God may teach you to understand it and carry out its precepts in your life.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the importance of reading God's Word
- The significance of Psalm 1:1-2
- Overview of the sermon structure
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II
- Read with great reverence
- Meditation on God's Word
- Silence and openness to God
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III
- Read with careful attention
- Understanding God's higher thoughts
- The depth of spiritual meaning
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IV
- Read with expectation of the Spirit's guidance
- The inseparability of God's Word and Spirit
- David's prayers in Psalm 119
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V
- Read with the purpose of keeping the Word
- Influence of the Word on heart and life
- Meditation throughout daily activities
Key Quotes
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” — Andrew Murray
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” — Andrew Murray
“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- Approach the Bible with a heart of reverence and silence to hear God's voice.
- Dedicate time to meditate on Scripture, allowing it to shape your daily thoughts and actions.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance to deepen your understanding of God's Word.