The Excellence of God's Word (Psalm 119:57-64)

Introduction

We continue our examination of as we look at the excellence of God’s Word

Last week we looked at two points as found in :

Be ready to give an answer

Fired up

We turn our attention to one point from :

Procrastination

The fear of the LORD

Procrastination

Tomorrow never comes

How many have delayed getting something done before?

“I’ll study for that test, tomorrow”

“I’ll mow the yard, tomorrow”

“I’ll do my taxes, tomorrow”

“I’ll study my Bible, tomorrow”

I am guilty as charged and at one point we all have been

Truth is, that elusive day “tomorrow” never comes for it is always today

The term used for this is called “procrastination”

“pro•cras•ti•nate \prə-ˈkras-tə-ˌnāt, prō-\ verb [Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare, from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow] verb transitive 1588: to put off intentionally and habitually verb intransitive: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done synonym see DELAY—pro•cras•ti•na•tion \-ˌkras-tə-ˈnā-shən\ noun—pro•cras•ti•na•tor \-ˈkras-tə-ˌnā-tər\ noun (Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.).)

pro•cras•ti•nate \prə-ˈkras-tə-ˌnāt, prō-\ verb

[Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare, from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow] verb transitive 1588: to put off intentionally and habitually verb intransitive: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done synonym see DELAY—pro•cras•ti•na•tion \-ˌkras-tə-ˈnā-shən\ noun—pro•cras•ti•na•tor \-ˈkras-tə-ˌnā-tər\ noun

Notice, it is:

intentional = you choose to do this (not an accident)

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

habitual = happens on a regular basis; “second nature”

Important to see what is being “put off” needs to be done

The Psalmist reminds us of the proper attitude we are to have toward procrastination especially as it relates to God’s word ()

I made haste (chuwsh) is defined as to hurry; fig. to be eager with excitement or enjoyment (Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 38).)

Speed or quickness is the idea ()

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 38). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

delayed (mahahh) is defined as to question or hesitate, i.e. (by impl.) to be reluctant:—delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. (Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 62).)

Notice the phrase “and delayed not” is equal to “I made haste” only stated negatively

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 62). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

keep (shamar) observe, keep, i.e., obey a command with diligence and in detail (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament))

Thus it is our responsibility to practice God’s commandments swiftly and follow them closely

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Some examples of procrastinators in the Bible

Lot, his wife and daughters ()

he lingered = delayed (mahahh)

Judah with rebuilding the temple ()

Some of the people at Jerusalem on Pentecost (, )

Only approximately three thousand obeyed ()

Some of the men of Athens ()

Governor Felix ()

We are all about convenience

Procrastination is an effective tool…for Satan

Physical life is full of uncertainties

I may be shopping at Wal-Mart when someone opens fire and I happen to be in the way of a bullet

I may be driving to work when someone cuts over in my lane causing a major accident

I may be eating dinner when my heart decides “this is it” and stops beating

Jesus’ coming back is a certainty (; ; ; )

Physical life is exceptionally short

“a vapor” ()

“swifter than a weaver’s shuttle”; “wind” ()

“swifter than a post” ()

“handbreadth”; “age is nothing” ()

“short” ()

“consumed like smoke” ()

“shadow” ()

“grass”; “flower of the grass” ()

“70-80 years” ()

We do not have time to waste!

All Satan has to do to “win” is get you to delay keeping God’s commandments

This assures Satan of victory

The more often we delay, the easier it becomes ()

How to overcome procrastination

Know God’s commandments ()

Think about/meditate on God’s commandments ()

Set aside pride ()

Prioritize God ()

We all have the same amount of time in a day, how am I using it?

Get organized

Plan your day

Set regular reading and study times for God’s word and stick to it!

Do something for God (

Love God ()

Accountability

Have other Christians hold you accountable for your behavior ()

The fear of the LORD

Do not get distracted by the world

Love not the world (; it got Demas )

Keep your eyes on Jesus ()

Conclusion

Saul of Tarsus was a great persecutor of the church (, , )

Upon his conversion he got busy working for the Lord ()

No delay!

And so it must be with you and I

Let’s get busy for the Lord ()