Day Twelve: Truth

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

“A proud man is always looking down on things and people;
and, of course, as long as you are looking down,
you cannot see something that is above you.”
~ C.S. Lewis

Day Twelve: Truth
'emeth (or 'emunah): fem noun, "stability, certainty, truth, faithfulness"
from 'aman: verb, "to support, confirm; to be true or faithful; to trust"
[related word: 'amen: adverb, "declaration 'may it be so'; truly"]

I have chosen the way of truth ['emunah] ...
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness ['emunah] You have afflicted me...
The entirety of Your word is truth ['emeth]
~ Psalms 119:30,75,160 (NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
~ John 8:32,36 (NKJV)

Though I knew I wanted to end this study with the word "truth," I had forgotten that from the same verb also comes the word "Amen"—a fitting way to conclude.

I am sorry to see the series come to an end. Today's word has been a particular delight to pick apart. Truth is intensely personal to me.

My search for the stability of Truth lasted many years. Too many teachings of Roman Catholicism rang false with me. I followed my father as he wandered into Eastern mysticism, and I became an adherent of astrology, tarot, numerology, dreamology, and psychics. Certainty remained elusive. I turned back to Catholicism. What it lacked in wholeness it made up for with the only thing I found reliable: worship Jesus as God.

My spirit restlessly continued the search for Truth. Then one fateful autumn day in 1985, I walked into a Protestant church and heard for the first time the Bible being preached as God's Word. The authority of Truth I heard awakened in my soul what I'd long sought. I do not wax poetic when I say it was love at first sight. I fell in love that day, and I fell hard.

Words now fail me. My eyes mist over. My throat is tight. My chest is racked with emotion. How can I describe my love affair with the Word? How do I explain the certainty in my heart for which I'd die before I'd doubt? What prose can convey the trust that consumes me when I read the Word and the Spirit breathes into me?

What sense can I make of the thrill and rush which come over me when I click on the keys for my computer Bible and I wait with anticipation for the program to open? Or of the comfort I feel to lay my head down upon a volume stamped "Holy Bible" in gilt letters?

If you didn't think me just a little ... different before today, you surely do now. I don't mind. I'm thoroughly addicted to the freedom and power of Truth, and have no desire for recovery.

The faithfulness and certainty in God's Word prove a worthy support in every affliction, question, and trial.

Thank You, my Lord. Thank You.

"I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn."
~ John Wesley

#Bible
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photograph "Colorado Rocky Mountains the San Juan Range" by Brendan Reals
from fineartamerica.com

Day Eleven: Way (path)

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely ...
but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
'WOW! What a Ride!' "
Bill McKenna

Day Eleven: Way (path)
derek: masc noun, a road; a course of life; path, journey, way
from darak: verb, to tread; to walk; to press something with one's feet

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
~ Psalms 119:37 (NKJV)

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
~ Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
~ John 14:6 (NKJV)

Yesterday's 'orach is the Hebrew word for 'way' with a slight emphasis on manner. Today's derek comes from a verb for treading, and refers to the beaten path.

In the study of the way God puts before us, I cannot help but think of the melding of God's sovereignty and man's free will. God lays out a path. We have the choice of whether or not to take it. There may be times when our choice to take another path leads to great loss, as when King Saul's disobedience cost him the monarchy.

There are other times when the Lord may step in, and compel obedience by unpleasant methods, as He did when He sent Jonah to Ninevah. Arriving onshore as fish vomit does have a persuasive affect on human will. And the disobedience of man does not frustrate the sovereignty of God.

But how much better to walk in God's perfect will, and choose His way immediately. Abraham left his homeland and chose a path to a land of covenant. Paul had planned to turn to eastern lands, but obeyed the Spirit's directing him west with the Gospel, and thus the church took root in Europe rather than Asia. Jesus is The Way to the Father, and walked a path to Calvary—that was not His will—to give us life.

What is the way the Lord puts before you? Are there worthless things down another path which look more appealing? Will you trust His way to be His very best for you?

Father, please forgive us when we whine about the path You set before us. Please turn our eyes away from the direction we covet. Please lead our hearts to better know You, so we will better trust Your plans for us—plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

#encouragement
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from nydailynews.com of Pete Rose slide into Ray Fosse, 1970

Day Ten: Way (walk)

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"The pleasure we feel in music
springs from the obedience which is in it."
~ Henry David Thoreau

Day Ten: Way (walk)
'orach: masc noun, "the path one walks on; the path or rank one walks in"
from 'arach: verb, "to travel, to go, to wander; sharing or agreeing"

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
~ Psalms 119:15 (NKJV)

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common ... continuing daily with one accord ... they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
~ Acts 2:44,46-47 (NKJV)

Two different Hebrew words for "way" appear in Psalm 119. The word 'orach puts a slight emphasis on the manner of walking, or the rank in which one walks. The verb from which it stems can mean sharing or agreeing.

There is diversity of personalities and gifts among the members of Christ's body of believers. But if we all walk in agreement, in the way of the Lord's Spirit (love, joy, peace, patient longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentle meekness, self-control), we will also walk in harmony with one another.

Each member of a choir sings different parts, accompanied by an orchestra of different pieces, without thought of rank or status, following one leader. The result is beauty no solist can attain.

We'd hardly need to evangelize if we found such accord. The beauty in such harmony could hardly be resisted by those who observe. When the church was of one accord, it was not the apostles, but the Lord Himself who "added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray to 'our' Father, not 'my' Father. We can accomplish nothing apart from Your Spirit, nothing apart from one another. Please lead our hearts to the same unity Your Spirit has with You and our Father. Please make our hearts of one accord with Yours.

#churchunity
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo: Sanctuary Choir, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Denver

Day Nine: Word (spoken)

“The Twelve Days of Christ” series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"Words that do not give the light of Christ
increase the darkness."
~ Mother Theresa

Day Nine: Word (spoken)
'emrah: fem noun, "word, poetic form; used with teaching, covenant, voice"
From 'amar: verb, "to say"

This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life...
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure...
~ Psalms 119:50,162 (NKJV)

"Because nothing is impossible with God's every word."
~ Luke 1:37 (author)

Gabriel's words to Mary are usually quoted as simply, "Nothing is impossible with God." The original Greek includes the phrase pan rhema—"every word." Rhema emphasizes personal speech more than logos does, though both mean "word."

Two Hebrew nouns also mean "word." Yesterday's dabar appears in the Old Testament 1438 times. Today's 'emrah appears just 37 times, 19 of them in Psalm 119. Determined (obsessed?) to distinguish these two words, I studied their etymology and uses at length. Here, I present some imperfect, contrasting metaphors.

Dabar or 'emrah. Masculine or feminine. Official declaration or spoken personally. Prose or poetry. Formal or intimate. Head talk or heart talk. Speaking to someone or speaking with someone.

A distinction I particularly like about the root verb 'amar is: "also refers to what is being communicated by a person's actions" (from The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Zodhiates). I'm reminded that we generally communicate 55% with our facial expression and body language, 38% with tone of voice, and 7% with our words. I also think of the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk; of the disparity between internet relationships (however precious), and relationships with people we contact personally.

I'll be thinking of 'emrah as God's full communication by His Holy Spirit, His intimate whispers to the heart and personal touch on our lives, and the power His words carry when put into action.

Oh Lord, how I love Your every Word! Thank You for sending Jesus, the Logos made flesh, by Whom we obtain eternal life. Thank You for breathing into us Your Rhema to sustain that life. I pray you'll pass to those who read these words as much as possible of the blessing I obtain in writing them.

#Biblestudy
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Artwork: "Annunciation" by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1898, from freechristimages.org

Day Eight: Word (declaration)

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and upon those who sat in the region
and shadow of death light has dawned."
~ Matthew 4:16

Day Eight: Word (declaration)
dabar: masc noun, "a word, matter; a command or royal decree" [the Ten Commandments were literally called the ten words of the Lord]
From dabar: verb, "to arrange, to speak; can also mean think"

Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.
~ Psalms 119:89 (NKJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)

Here in John is my favorite account of God born as Man. God's Word, by which He created everything but humanity, is so powerful that it is not an abstract, but the Person of Jesus Christ.

On the day I met the Person of the Word of God via the Bible, it was love at first sight. Everything changed for me that day, no less than I can imagine it changed for shepherds or Magi who met a Savior and King.

Here is the miracle of Christmas: by no more than the Word of God delivered by an angel, and by the simple word of surrender by a young maiden, the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived Jesus.

Here is the miracle of Christ: by no more than the Word of the Gospel from God and the simple word of surrender by one of us, the Holy Spirit enters to create in us the life and light of Jesus Christ.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
~ John 1:4-5 (NKJV)

Be blessed in today's celebration of the Word of light and life.

Father, thank You for the greatest gift You might ever give: Yourself, Your Word, Your life, in Your Son. May we never cease to thank and praise You for the goodness and light in Jesus.

#knowingGod
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from unitedvision.me

Day Seven: Promise

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"God never
made a
promise
that was
too good
to be
true."

~ Dwight L. Moody

Day Seven: Promise
'arab: verb, "to braid, that is, intermix; also to give or be security; to exchange, to take or give as a pledge or guarantee"

Promise that you will help your servant;
don't let the arrogant oppress me!
~ Psalms 119:122 (GNB)

"Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise."
~ 1 Kings 8:56 (NKJV)

Many commentators don't see a synonym for God's Word in Psalm 119:122. Strictly speaking, the Hebrew word here, 'arab, is a verb, not a noun.

Since every other verse of Psalm 119 does contain a synonym for God's Word, I'm not about to exclude this verse based on such technicality. Incidently, 'arab is also the only one of the twelve synonyms which appears only once in the Psalm. Perhaps the psalmist thought one mention of God giving His promise was sufficient.

I'll offer as insight this definition of 'arab from Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible:

"... to mix or intermingle interests; to unite ourselves with others so that their interests come to be our own; and hence, to take one under our protection, to become answerable for, to be a surety for: as, when one endorses a note for another, he mingles his own interest, reputation, and means with his. So Christ becomes the security or surety of his people ... "

Every Promise of God is fulfilled in Him Whom we celebrate tonight and tomorrow: the Lord Jesus Christ. God became Man, united Himself to us, mingled His interest in our ours, and became our Surety for eternal life.

There has not failed one word of all His good promise. On this, the eve of Christmas, we wait to celebrate Christ's coming. It is the last day of observing the first Advent.

It remains to be seen which day it is of the second Advent.

But when the fullness of the time had come,
God sent forth His Son, born of a woman ...
~ Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)

Come, Lord Jesus!

#secondcoming
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from afeatheradrift.wordpress.com

Day Six: Testimony

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"I am not struck so much by the diversity of testimony
as by the many-sidedness of truth."
~ Stanley Baldwin

Day Six: Testimony
'edah: "[act of] testimony"
'eduth; "[object of] testimony, evidence"
from 'ud, verb, "to duplicate or repeat; to bear witness, to obtain authentication"

In a court of law, facts are established by testimony. The truths of our faith are established by the testimony of God’s Word, His Spirit, His people.

Thoughts on Testimony ...

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
~ Psalms 119:2 (NKJV)

When faith wavers in the present, we need a fresh awareness of God’s intent to work for good. If we would seek Him with the whole heart, He can be found by keeping [remembering, studying, meditating upon] in our hearts the testimonies of the past—whether in personal experience or the Bible.

Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
~ Psalms 119:24 (NKJV)

The delight of peace comes not only faith for today but also in hope for tomorrow. They are evidenced by testimony of all God has done.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
~ Psalms 119:36 (NKJV)

Testimony of His past actions evidences that the Lord does not work toward what we covet. We do not overcome temptation by trying to push it away, for it will quickly come back into the resulting void. We overcome covetousness by crowding it out with what is of God.

I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
~ Psalms 119:146 (NKJV)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives to the death.
~ Revelation 12:11 (NKJV)

To belong to Christ is to recognize the need of salvation, cry out for it, and testify to it. Giving testimony is a requisite of salvation; salvation is to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ as living God, and “to confess with the mouth” He is Lord (Romans 10:9). We can only confess what we personally know to be true. Hearsay—what we've heard but not experienced—is inadmissable before either human or divine court.

Do you testify from personal experience: “Jesus Christ is living God and Lord of my life” ?

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy Own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me.
~ Thomas O. Chisholm

#powerofwords
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from corbisimages.com

Day Five: Precept

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me;
it has feet, it runs after me;
it has hands, it lays hold of me."
~ Martin Luther

Day Five: Precept
piqqud: masc noun, "mandate, precept, instruction"
from paqad: verb, "to oversee, attend, search out; to commit to, that is, to cause people to attend to something placed under their care"

I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life...
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts...
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
~ Psalms 119:93,100,159 (NKJV)

"You revealed to Me paths of life;
You will fill Me with joy with Your face."
~ Acts 2:28 (LITV)

In the English, "precept" can mean a general rule regarding behavior and thought, or an actual order of law. That's not too far off the Hebrew, which is somewhere between an instruction or mandate and a stewardship or trust.

Forgive me for being overwhelmed with this trust. Who are we that the Lord should entrust to us revelation of Himself in what He prescribes? The passage from Acts (a quote of Psalm 16:11) puts the above verses from Psalm 119 in exactly that context. In understanding what God instructs, we understand God.

I define knowledge as acquisition of information, wisdom as seeing from God's perspective, and understanding as thinking as God does, with the mind of Christ. How dare we! Who are we to seek the face of God, let alone be allowed access into His thoughts?!

We, the church, have such privilege.

Such thoughts go beyond "do not commit adultery" to understanding that lust in our hearts robs marriage of sanctity; beyond "do not murder" to the understanding that hatred tears down another and therefore steals away life.

Here is life, joy, revival: to love what the Lord prescribes as revelation of the Almighty Himself.

Here is the very face of our beloved Lord and Savior.

"God's precepts strike those who love Him
as right and delightful."
The Complete Word Study Dictionary
Spiros Zodhiates, General Editor

#Bible
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Day Four: Statute

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"We have no government armed with the power
capable of contending with human passions
unbrideld by morality and religion."
~ John Adams

Day Four: Statute
chuqqah: fem. noun (or choq: masc noun), "regulation, law, ordinance, decree, mandate"
from chaqaq: verb, to cut, to inscribe, to engrave, to decree

You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
~ Psalms 119:68 (NKJV)

Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good... I agree with the law that it is good.
~ Romans 7:12,16 (NKJV)

Parents make rules. "You're not allowed to" this and "you must do" that. We issue such decrees having in mind not so much the specifics as a good overall outcome for our children. First problem is, kids listen to the letter of the law and ignore the spirit. No lawyer could ever be as creative in finding a way around the statute as a child is.

Second problem is that you simply can't make enough rules to cover all undesirable behavior. I finally declared the default rule: "If I think you should have known better, you're accountable."

My twisted sense of humor is amused that despite the 613 statutes which the Lord gave Moses, He says in Jeremiah 32:35 of His people's sin: "I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination." I cannot help but picture a loving Father clenching His divine jaw in exasperation that His children might think to do the unthinkable.

The above two words for statute (chuqqah and choq) both mean "written in stone." Make no mistake: this is required stuff.

It's required, but we cannot do it.

So Jesus set us free from the requirements of law. He first met the death penalty for our violation, then wrote the upon our hearts the Law of Liberty. While Jews find unity in observing The Law, church unity comes through the Spirit of the law. He does not dictate the outward compliance demanded by the Old Testament, but the higher standard of the New and improved Testatment.

More on that tomorrow.

Father in Heaven, You are good—You are holy!—and desire for us Your best. Please soften our hearts to the statutes You wish to write upon them. Please put in us a yearning for all that is of You and Your goodness. I love You!

#churchunity
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from blog.timesunion.com

Day Three: Commandment

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"I have wondered at times what
the Ten Commandments would have looked like
if Moses had run them through the US Congress."
~ Ronald Reagan

Day Three: Commandment
mitsvah: fem noun, "command[ment]"
From tsavah: verb, "to order, direct, appoint, command, charge"

And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
~ Psalms 119:47 (NKJV)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
~ John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Thoughts on God's commandments.

The Ten Commandments were instructions before the Holy Spirit came. Now that the commandments are written in our hearts, they are promises. "You shall not ..." describes what we are in Christ, instead of telling us what to do.

God gave His commandments not to reveal right and wrong—because conscience already makes such distinctions—but to make it easier for us to see ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior.

"Love is the answer, no matter the question." ~ Unknown

Jesus said that in the commandments to love God and love neighbor, all other commandments are fulfilled (Matthew 22:37-40). He also said that what we do to the least person around us, good or bad, we've done to Him (Matthew 25:40,45). We're told we can't love God unless we love our brother (1 John 4:20). So all of life really comes down to simply loving others.

"Duty makes us do things well,
but love makes us do them beautifully."
- Zig Ziglar

The command to love removes the duty of all other commandments, because love does not comprehend duty.

"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart,
but for you my heart has no bottom."
~Unknown

Wish I'd said that. It makes a nice paraphrase of this verse:

To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.
~ Psalms 119:96 (NIV)

Now go love on people. That's an order. (But not from me :D)

#loveoneanother
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from flairinthecity.blogspot.com

Day Two: Judgments

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.

"Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice."
~ Harrison Ford

Day Two: Judgments
(also Edict, Justice, Ordinances)

mishpat : masc. noun, "judgment, verdict, sentence, formal decree"

My soul breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times...
My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.
~ Psalms 119:20,120 (NKJV)

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
~ 1 Corinthians 11:32 (NKJV)

I worked with legal terminology full-time for fourteen years. Wrote tons in it. Still think it. Sub-consciously, I knew half of the twelve Hebrew words for God's word in Psalm 119 are legal terms, but they're too natural to me to make note of them—until I start writing to my non-legal audience of Christians.

We are no longer at war with God. We have been set free from the law by grace, and likely take little note of law as we try to build our lives on God's Word, which is filled with words of justice. Our eyes pass over legal words, thinking them for only the condemned on some future date. But Paul speaks of the works of Christians being put on trial (1 Corinthians 3:13). He also makes the distinction between the condemnation of the damned who remain at war with their Creator, and the judgment Christians face in being chastened.

Way, way back in the Old Testament, God's will was synonymous with His judgment. The commandment "do not murder" was still 2500+ years in the future when God judged Cain for murdering Abel. He judged Sodom perhaps 550 years before the Law of Moses. Human courts throughout the millennia have rendered judgment based on "natural law," or the inherent morality of mankind which understands it is wrong to do things such as murder, rape, and lie.

The author of Psalm 119 expressed childlike contrast between the soul which longs for justice, and the trembling which faces it. In our hearts, we understand without being told that there is right and wrong, there is chastisement outside written rules, and we desire justice.

In being conformed to the image of Christ, His church needs unity. We still need childlike longing for His judgments, and together ask the Lord for what He has decreed as His will. As the church seeks such judgments, rather than judging for ourselves what is God's will, we will indeed find unity in God's perfect will.

Do you disdain judgment? Consider one of the edicts from the God Who does not change:

Turn to me and show favor,
Your edict [mishpat] for those who love Your name.
~ Psalm 119:132 (author)

Lord, all Your judgments are good and righteous and filled with blessing. Please help our hearts to desire what You have judged to be Your will, and to find perfect peace and unity in it.

#powerofwords #churchunity
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from lawrence.sd.us

Day One: Law

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.





"The world has many religions;
it has but one Gospel."
~ George Owen


Day One: Law

torah: fem. noun, "instruction"
from yarah: verb, "to flow (as water), shoot, throw, point"

Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
~ Psalms 119:165 (NKJV)

[You are] ... built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone ... in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
~ Ephesians 2:20-22 (NKJV)

The collection of the first five books of the Bible is called The Torah, or the Law of Moses. Though the Hebrew word torah is translated ‘law,’ it is much bigger. Consider that the United States Constitution is more than the laws which govern our land—it is a foundation of words upon which our government is established.

The Torah is a foundation to establish God as Creator, Judge of evil, Most High God above all false gods, Almighty God of Abraham, Deliverer of the Hebrews from Egypt. Having revealed a wondrous God and making clear His right to rule, the Torah then lays out His government.

Where would the church be without the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the many saints who have gone before? They have preserved the Gospel of Jesus Christ, often at the cost of their lives. Like the patriots, they gave us what we enjoy today at the cost of their blood.

In every era is a readiness to throw off what is seen as outdated. Indeed, religion which is devoid of love, of fresh anointing from the Lord's Spirit, and of active relationship with God was condemned by Jesus in His own era. But let us discern between empty tradition of man and the foundations of faith by which we are established as the church.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
~ Psalms 119:18 (NKJV)

A last thought. As the torah reveals God to man and establishes His rule, the church is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, Ruler of our hearts by His Word and Spirit.

Sovereign Lord Jesus, Your dominion is over all. Bend our hearts to Your rule over all we are, do and have—over all the talent, time and treasure You’ve entrusted to us.

#churchunity #powerofwords
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from saintsandblesseds.wordpress.com

Twelve Days of Christ

"Whoever survives a test, whatever it may be,

must tell the story. That is his duty."
~ Elie Wiesel

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
~ Psalms 119:1-2 (NKJV)

Thus begins Psalm 119, which goes on for 176 verses and 22 stanzas (one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet), to extol God's Word.

Except for Fridays, I write here each day on a verse or so from the day's passage of Scripture. For the last few weeks I've puzzled how I'd single just one or two verses from this majestic psalm, just as I wondered how I'd single out just one point today as part of the Blog Carnival hostessed by Bridget Chumbley on "Church."

The Church is a source of great joy in my life, and great sorrow. I'm thrilled to be meeting more people in Christ's body than ever before, with whom I shall spend eternity. I sorrow because I'm connecting with them just enough to know who they are, but there's too few hours in the day to spend the time and share the love I wish to give each one.

*heavy sigh*

My solution for both Psalm 119 and writing on the topic of The Church is called "The Twelve Days of Christ." For twelve days over the next two weeks, until the next carnival, I'm doing a post for each of the twelve Hebrew words for God's Word in Psalm 119, and connecting to each one something different about The Church.

Today's introduction is simply Who, What, and Where The Church is.

WHO

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
~ Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

The Church is all those who belong to Christ, who have received eternal life in His blood, who confess Him as Lord and believe He is God made man, raised alive from the dead.

The Church is all those connected by Christ's blood as brothers and sisters, His family.

The Church is one, regardless of denominational lines, race, or nation.

WHAT

"By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."
~ Matthew 18:16 (NKJV)

The Church is one of three witnesses Christ left behind on His behalf when He returned to Heaven: His Word, His Spirit, His people. Every matter of faith is to be established by two witnesses—three to eliminate any doubt.

The Church is a reliable witness, regardless of human fallibility. The Word, by itself, can be misunderstood. The voice of the Spirit can be difficult to discern. Jesus knew we truly need all three.

WHERE

"You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
~ Matthew 5:14,16 (NKJV)

Like terrorists who infiltrate our country so they can reach us anywhere, The Church is to be everywhere, infiltrating every part of the world. Unlike the terrorists, we are to be known and visible, our love, light, and life sharply contrasting the hatred, darkness and death of the world.

It is not merely a duty, but a privilege to keep His testimonies.

Father, thank You for making us those who are undefiled, through Your Son's precious blood. You call us to testimony, and give us power to meet it. Please show us how You'd use each of us to testify to who, what and where You are, and fill us with the desire to whole-heartedly seek You so we will do so.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#churchunity