Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Daily reading assignment – Psalm 119
Today’s scripture reading is Psalm 119. With the exception of Psalm 23, Psalm 119 may be the favorite psalm of saints down through the centuries. Its celebration of the Word and Law of God might seem out of step with many 21st century believers’ emphasis on grace [which is in danger of becoming “lawless grace” that knows little of the holiness of God]; however, its truths are eternal and its lessons regarding what manner of people the saints ought to be timeless.
I preached a series of messages on Psalm 119 in January 2016 and authored a brief series of devotions on the chapter during that time. Today’s devotional commentary was first posted on this blog, January 25, 2016.
Psalm 119:129 – “Thy testimonies [witness; admonitions; ordinances] are wonderful [marvelous]: therefore doth my soul [life; person] keep [preserve; guard] them.”
“Failure to thrive” is an ominous term I have heard doctors use for both the very young and elderly patients. The terminology is not a disease, but a description of a patient who is failing; failing to gain weight, failing to grow and failing to mature. It is a state of being undernourished despite heroic actions taken to encourage physical weight gain and well-being.
The term, “failure to thrive”, is a fitting diagnosis for many church members. They come to church faithfully and sit in pews year after year with no visible signs of spiritual life, health or growth.
American Christians are hardly undernourished when it comes to physical weight; however, there are too many who are spiritually undernourished…failing to grow and mature.
The writer of Hebrews observed the same malady in the 1st century church when he wrote:
Hebrews 5:12-14 – “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers [Instructors], ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God [Old Testament sayings]; and are become [having degenerated] such as have need of milk [unable to chew solid food], and not of strong meat [solid food; advance doctrines].
13 For every one that useth [drink] milk is unskilful [ignorant; inexperienced] in the word [doctrine; preaching] of righteousness: for he is a babe [spiritually immature].
14 But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age [mature], even those who by reason of use [exercised in the Word and Law of God] have their senses [discernment] exercised [train; workout; disciplined exercise] to discern both good and evil [moral and immoral].”
“Failure to thrive” is the malady of the 21st century church. Although we live in a day of mass communication and modern technology has put within our reach opportunities of studying and hearing God’s Word taught 24\7; the reality is there is a gross ignorance of the scriptures. Like the 1st century, there are Christians who should be faithful students and teachers of the Bible, but are content with being spoon-fed the puree of elementary truths in churches more focused on entertaining the masses than the faithful exposition of God’s Word.
A spiritually anorexic Christian is the portrait of 21st century Christianity in America! No wonder sin and lawless liberty abounds within our churches; we have fostered a generation of carnal Christians who demand pandering because they are spiritual babies desensitized to sin by their ignorance of the Truth!
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith