Psalm 119:130 (NKJV): The entrance of Your words
gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
God's Word is light, and the entrance His words gives light! And when the light comes, darkness flees! This light also gives understanding to the simple (i.e. those who do not know or understand).
Psalm 119:131 then says, 'I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments (Your words)'. So, how do you allow God's words to enter your
life? By 'opening your mouth' and 'eating' His words!
Recently, the Lord spoke these words to a congregation I was ministering to:
"Many of you are crossing the threshold, and many of you are entering a new season of breakthrough that you've been waiting far too long. But now is your time! Your time has come! This is also the time to eat of My Word! Eat, and keep eating, so you will be strong for the journey ahead!"
These words actually reminded me of Elijah when the angel of the Lord said to him, "Arise and eat!" (see 1 Kings 19:5-7) Indeed, for many of you, you need to 'eat' so you'll have the strength for the 'journey' ahead! This is not the time to 'lay down', and definitely not the time to 'throw a pity party'! The Bible says Elijah then went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God (see 1 Kings 19:8). By the way, 'forty' in Hebrew numeric simply means 'total rule, total dominion, or completed course.'
And how do you 'eat' of His Word? By meditating in His Word!
Joshua 1:8 says, 'This Book of the Law (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and, and then you will have good success'.
It's time to go back to basics today!
“Oh! Don't tell me about this meditating thing! I have meditated a lot those days! I know the
Word already!” Some might say.
Well, it’s just like saying, “Oh! I’ve eaten a lot
of good, nutritious food those days! Many years ago! I don’t need to eat nowadays!”
As a matter of fact, to continue to stay strong and healthy every day, you need to continue to eat good, nutritious food every day! The same it is with your 'spiritual food', i.e. the Word. This is definitely one 'food' that you should be taking in continuously (and consistently)! And of course, 'you are what you eat'! The entrance of good food brings good health; but on the other hand, the entrance of junk food brings junk health! So, you've got to know what you eat, and eat the right food! Because too much junk makes people sick!
In Joshua 1:8, the word 'meditate' here is 'hagah', from the alephbets 'hey-gimel-hey' (הָגָה) in Hebrew. 'Hey' (ה) speaks of God's grace (or God's supply, God's ability), whereas ‘Gimel’ (גָ) is a picture of ‘foot’, which speaks of ‘movement’.
And you know what this means? As you meditate in His Word day and night, you'll also be moving from grace to grace! (i.e. growing from grace to grace, or grace upon grace)
People of God, do you want more of His grace, His supply (of every good thing from heaven) and His ability in your life? Then meditate in His Word day and night, and repeatedly again and again! Notice Joshua 1:8 says: 'it (the Word) shall not depart from your mouth'. See the word 'mouth' here? I used to wonder why the Bible never says 'it shall not depart from your heart', or 'it shall not depart from your mind', but the Bible says 'it shall not depart from your mouth'!
Let me explain.
Let me explain.
Contrary to what many people think, 'meditation' in the context of Joshua 1:8 here isn't so much about 'silent contemplation' of the Word. Instead, it is about speaking out (or confessing aloud) with your mouth God's words day by day. Psalm 35:28 says, 'And my tongue shall speak ('hagah') of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long'. Psalm 71:24 says, 'My tongue also shall talk ('hagah') of Your righteousness all the day long'. Job 27:4 says, 'My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter ('hagah') deceit'. See 'hagah' (הָגָה) is translated as 'speak', 'talk', and 'utter' here? All these involve your voice, and not silence! As you 'hagah' (הָגָה), you'll also hear it. And faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God! (Romans 10:17) Also, your faith hardly comes when you hear junks!
You see, you don't need to hear 'world news' repeatedly over and over again. Have you noticed the news that you hear from your television set is often repetitive (shown over and over again) throughout the day? And with all those 'bad news' one hears nowadays, it's no surprise that one would feel even more 'terrible' upon hearing it! Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't keep abreast of what is happening in the world in that case, but the truth is hearing too much of 'bad news' will never help nourish your spirit or strengthen your soul! The Bible never says 'the entrance of the world gives light', but instead 'the entrance of the Word gives light'! 'World' and 'Word'! And one little 'L' makes a whole lot of difference!
The good news is there's always an answer in the Word to every situation or problem you face in this world! So, the more you meditate ('hagah') in the Word (for any particular area of your life) day by day, the more light enters that particular area of your life (whether in health, in providence, in your thought life, or in every other area of your life).
As you confess aloud God’s Word into your life day by day, this light of His Word also causes darkness in that area of your
life to flee! So, use your eyes to see the Word, your mouth
to speak the Word, and your ear to hear the Word! And as Joshua 1:8 says, you'll be right on your way to prosperity (in any area of your life), and you'll have good success. Amen!
Examples of Bible verses (personalized) that you can speak into your life over and over again:
In Christ, there is no darkness at all, for God is light and He lives in me (1 John 1:5)
In Christ, my light has come, and the glory of the Lord is seen upon me (Isaiah 60:1-2)
In Christ, my path is as the shining light, that shines brighter and brighter till the full light (Proverbs 4:18)
In Christ, I am empowered by the Holy Spirit, and I am established (2 Corinthians 1:21)
In Christ, I give thanks for He always leads me in triumph in Christ, and through me diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14)
