The Undistracted Widow: Living For God After Losing Your Husband - Chapter 6

Introduction

Subject: Gaining Comfort from God’s Word

Here we are for week 6 and chapter 6 of book, “The Undistracted Widow.” I hope you guys had a wonderful week this past week. I am excited to get into our study today.

However, before we get started, you may notice that I made a change to your notes. I needed to simplify my process a little. So, instead of giving you another book, I giving you something that is more fill in the blank. Hopefully, this will help me and you. It will help me cut down on my prep time each week. And, hopefully, by filling in the blanks make it a little more interactive for you.

This week’s subject is “Gaining Comfort from God’s Word.” Our text is Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

I have added two other passages that came to my mind as I was preparing for the class this week.

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Ephesians 5:18–19 KJV 1900

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

As you already know, God’s Word is the center of discussion this week. In particular, we are examining the fact that God’s Word can be a great source of comfort to all, but especially to you as widows.

Now, begin this week’s teaching time, I want you see that there is...

A Biblical Basis for Daily Devotions and Scripture Memory

I do not believe enough emphasis can be placed on the value of daily devotions. When I say daily devotions, I am talking about a daily time of prayer, Bible study, and Biblical self-evaluation along with Scripture memory. The book’s author uses this chapter to demonstrate how her own daily devotions sustained her immediately after her husband’s death. I might add that it not only will sustain you, but it will enable to grow spiritually as you learn to lean on God’s promises. A fact that she points out later in this chapter.

Now, the material I about to give is not in the book. Yet, I think it is important that you have this.

When you develop a habit of daily devotions (prayer, study of God’s Word, and Biblical self-evaluation) it is a tremendous source of help. How does it help? It helps you...

A. Follow the example of many people in Scripture who had a heart for God (Psalm 5:3, 63:6, 119:62, 147-148; Daniel 6:10; Acts 10:1-2, 17:11);

B. Be equipped for spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18) and to remain alert to your adversary, the devil (1 Peter 5:8);

C. Be obedient to the Scriptural command of habitual and continual prayer (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17);

D. Be sustained and nourished continually be the Word of God (Psalm 1:2-3; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13);

E. Be directed in all of life by the Word of God (Psalm 19:7-11; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Peter 1:3-4);

F. Focus your life on the worship and praise of God (Psalm 16:11, 34:1, 48:1, 63:1-4, 92:1-2, 95:6, 119:164; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 13:15);

G. Examine yourself daily in the light of God’s Word (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12), confess your sins (1 John 1:9), and practice self-discipline (Galatians 5:23-24; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; 2 Peter 1:6), thus avoiding the necessity of the discipline of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; Hebrews 12:5-11); and

H. Keep yourself in a Biblical position to help others (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-5).

As for what to include in your devotions, prayer is obvious one. I would suggest that list not only your requests but also God’s answers in a journal of some sort. Maintaining such a journal will help you prayer persistently and patiently as wait for God to answer. It will also help you avoid being anxious and, instead, make you thankful for His greatness and goodness.

A suggested patter of prayer is...

Worshiping God

Confessing sins

Thanking God for what He has done

Interceding on behalf of others

Acknowledging your dependence upon Him to supply your needs

Going along with the author’s suggestions, your devotion time should also consist of meditating on specific passages of God’s Word. And, as she suggested, develop a plan of Bible study that includes application of Biblical principles. Of course, one of the great ways to carry God’s Word around in your heart is to memorize Scripture.

This entire chapter was really her suggestions about how to implement a daily focus on God’s Word. Her contention, which is well founded, is that you will receive the necessary comfort from God’s Word to help each day and especially during those times when you missing your spouse.

In her introduction, she explained how hard it was for her to read large portions of Scripture. I am sure all of you can relate to her circumstances. Thus, in an effort not to abandon God’s Word, she came up some creative ways that helped dwell on His Word throughout each day.

How To Approach the Scriptures While Grieving

She made this comment.

“Using these methods helped me to make Scripture reading more physically comfortable and more personally applicable.”

As you may already know, her suggestion was to copy portions of Scripture using some Bible software or just a simply copier. She made the copies so that there was large font and double spacing between lines. Then, as she read through the passage, she made her own responses to what she was reading in the spaces below each line. This is a fantastic suggestion. She also suggested start with the book of Philippians. I agreed. As she said...

“Paul’s letters to the Philippians teaches us how to rejoice in the midst of suffering. His outlook is heavenward and his message is one of hope.”

It is a great book to start with and if you have not already study Philippians, use her suggestion and start there. Here was her next suggestion.

Personal Scripture Flash Cards

She suggested.

“Another method I used to keep my mind filled with God’s Word was to make flash cards.”

She went on to explain how she bought the big flash cards that are often used for arithmetic in elementary schools. She then printed portions of the Bible with different verses on each of four card sections. Eventually, she started decorating the cards with stickers and color pencils.

She noted.

“When I got anxious and couldn’t sit still, I walked around the house with the cards reciting the words”

Now, in this section, she recommended using other versions of the Bible. I do not recommend doing so. As you already know, we take a firm stand on using the King James Version here are our church. There is insufficient time for me to go into all the details of why take such a stand. However, let me say that you cannot go wrong with using the KJV and do not have to worry if you are using a corrupt English version.

Sketching Your Way to Comfort

Her next practical suggestion for dwelling in God’s Word was this.

“Another way I motivated myself to read and memorize Scripture was to print onto beautiful computer paper verses that I wanted to include in my notebook.”

This is good place for me to point out that in many Bible bookstores they have Journaling Bibles. These Bibles are specifically designed with pages next to the text that you can take notes about what you have read or learned. I know she was doing something different. But a journaling Bible might be something you would want to look into.

She went to make another suggestion.

“Another way I used to gain understanding, comfort, and strength from God’s Word was to sketch a diagram of what a particular portion of Scripture was teaching.”

She goes to talk about her Bible college professor and his kidney-bean shaped people. Not everyone is a good a drawing, so she also suggests using whatever media or methods you enjoy. In a nutshell, get creative with ways to stay in God’s Word.

Personalize Your Hymnbook

In my introduction, I noted Ephesians 5:18-19

Ephesians 5:18–19 KJV 1900

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Reading this section reminded me of these verses. One of the great ways you can fill yourself with God’s Word as well as His Spirit through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Now, she noted that right after her husband’s death she struggled with singing certain hymns and songs. They were too emotional for her to handle at the time. So she came up with an alternative that helped her stay in God’s Word through hymns.

“Hymns are poems set to music. I use my hymnbook as a book of Christian poetry and am blessed by the expression of the poets.”

If you would like a hymnal to take home so you can use some of her suggestions, just let me know. We can definitely make that happen.

Praying the Scriptures

Praying the Scriptures is a fantastic idea as well. She noted.

“One of the most significant helps to me was praying Scripture aloud. I would choose a portion of Scripture and talk to my heavenly Father about it.”

She goes on pointing out God never fails in in His promises. She defines a promise as a guarantee, pledge, oath, or vow. God’s Word is full of His promises. Dwelling on His promises and the fact that He always fulfills those promises is a great way to overcome anxiety, doubt, and fear.

She stated.

“Because God is perfectly good, absolutely sovereign, and completely trustworthy, His Word, and in particular, His promises can inspire in us the greatest confidence.”

Joshua 21:45 KJV 1900

45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Romans 4:20–21 KJV 1900

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

I cannot agree with her more.

In the close of this section, she wrote the following.

“If you find it difficult to weave Scripture into your prayers, ask for help from your pastor, Sunday School teacher, or other wise and knowledgeable Christians.”

Let me follow that up with my standing offer to help. If you need any assistance, spiritually or otherwise, I stand ready to help you. In fact, all the men on our staff are available to help. Call on us anytime.

Books about God’s Word

For this last section, I don’t have much to add. I only want to say that if you want to know about good Bible commentaries, come to talk to me. Or if you have commentary you are interested in purchasing and want advice, just see me. I would love to help you find good commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and any other Bible study aids.

Well, that is about it.

Remember that God’s Word is the best source of comfort you can find. Spend time in it. Study it. Meditate on it. Pray it. Sing it. Let it dominate your heart and mind.

Discussion Questions

Did you find it difficult immediately after your husband’s death to read large portions of the Bible? Share your experience with the rest of the group.

What must be included in daily devotions? Why are they important? What do you think will happen if you miss having your time alone with God?

What did you think about her suggestions in the chapter? Which one appealed to the most and why?

Have you used other creative means or methods to keep God’s Word before you throughout the day? If so, share those with the group.

What Bible aids (commentaries, dictionaries, etc.) have used before and how have they helped you in your study of God’s Word?