Cultivating a Deeper Prayer Life - A Theology of Prayer

Study 18

Text: John 17

"I HAVE GIVEN THEM YOUR WORD…" John 17:14

The Lord Jesus had given to His Disciples many things. He had given them His friendship. He had given them great honour by making them His Disciples. We can think of lots of other blessings that Jesus had given to His Disciples.

However, Jesus highlighted one important thing that He had given to His Disciples. In His prayer to His Father, He mentioned that He had given them His Word. What a tremendous insight concerning God's Word in this simple statement.

HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY APPRECIATE GOD'S WORD?

The fact is that not everybody appreciated the Word of God that Jesus proclaimed. They seemed to be more drawn to His miracles than His Word.

1. The Multitudes were given parables because they did not know how to appreciate His Word (Matt. 13:11-15).

2. The Pharisees did not know how to appreciate the Word of God that Jesus proclaimed, preferring their own traditions and their very convoluted interpretation of the Law (Matt. 5 records for us how Jesus distinguished His understanding of the Law of God in contrast to the traditional teaching of the Jews).

3. The Disciples were blessed indeed because they were given special grace and wisdom to understand God's Word (Luke 10:21).
We need to pause and review our appreciation of the Word of God given to us. Do we really appreciate and treasure the Word given to us?

"YOUR WORD…" John 17:14

How important it is to recognize the significance of the fact that the Scriptures are indeed God's Word. Let's take time to appreciate afresh the Word of God given to us. May our hearts be filled with joy as we read the following passages from God's Word.

1. Moses' appreciation of the Word of God

Moses had a very high regard for the Word of God. This was what he sought to impress upon the Children of Israel on one occasion…

"For ask now concerning the days that are past,
which were before you,
since the day that God created man on the earth,
and ask from one end of heaven to the other,
whether any great thing like this has happened,
or anything like it has been heard.
Did anyone ever hear the voice of God
Speaking out of the midst of the fire,
As you have heard and live?
Deut. 4:32-33

2. David's appreciation of the Word of God

David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel also had a high regard for God's Word. Let us take a look at one of the psalms in which he extolled the Word of God…

"The words of the Lord are pure words
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever"
Psalm 12:6-7

3. The Apostle Paul's appreciation of the Word of God

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work"
2 Tim. 3:16-17

WHAT IS YOUR APPRECIATION OF THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE?

Jesus reflected on how He taught God's Word to His Disciples. He was most conscious of the fact that He taught His Father's Word.

Let us seek to be far more conscious of the Word of God in our life. Let us seek to teach nothing but God's Word. What is your personal appreciation of the Lord's Word?

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~