30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 1-2 Children and the kingdom of God 05 Hungering for His word
📖 Luke 17:1-2
13Jun2020 - *Hungering for His word* - _Luke 17:1-2_ - Bible reading: _Psalm 19:7-10_
_Luke 17:1-2 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones._
The first lesson that we learn from children and the kingdom of God is that when we focus our attention on children, we will internalise the culture of leadership, which is a culture to be willing to be unnoticed, ignored and overlooked but focussed on genuinely caring for the vulnerable.
The second lesson that we learn from Children and the kingdom of God is the lesson of Trust.
The third lesson that we learn from children and the kingdom of God is to have a hunger for God’s word. _I Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,_
Newborn babes are hungry for milk and they make it known in no uncertain terms as to what they want. This is the same passion and hunger that we need to have for His word, which is the lesson that we learn from children.
If we have lost the hunger for His word and if our reading of the Bible has become a dull, routine and tedious experience, then we are in a serious crisis. This crisis is far graver than any virus attack. We will need to come to God in desperation, fall at His feet, repent and cry to Him to once again give us the hunger for His word.
_I Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,_ The word of God lives and abides forever. All that we see in the world is passing away. This is the word through which we were born into the family of God. We, therefore, must be those obey His word _James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves._
Here is a beautiful description of His word. _Psalm 19:7-10 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; (8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; (9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb._
It is in knowing Jesus in obeying His word that we have eternal life. _I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life._
_Hosea 6:3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth._ In a world, where all that we considered as stable is falling away right in front of our eyes, it is the knowledge of Jesus alone that is established.
We are sent into the world by our Lord as people of His word. _John 17:14-18 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (15) I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (18) As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
We are in the world but distinct from the world because of His word that abides in us. The world will hate us for we are living out Jesus, who is the word. Jesus is praying for us to be kept from our enemy, the devil and our life is to be continuously set apart from the world and set apart for God by His word.
Are you being distinct from the world because of God’s word abiding in you, or have you compromised with the world that the world is not able to see Jesus in you?
The third lesson that we learn from children and the kingdom of God is the lesson of hungering for God’s word.
*Thought to ponder*
```The word of God is for our daily application and not just for our therapy or to access God’s promises.```