Spiritual Reading

Our preaching them for 2022 is Begin again.

Currently, I have entitled this series “spiritual awakening.”

But this is not so much a preaching series as it is a time to encounter God experientially.

Last week we read through the book of Esther interactively.

This week we are going to read a Psalm and it will also be interactive, but in a different way.

We are going to be reading through Psalm 40 three times, using three different readers.

Each time the Psalm is read, there will be a time of silent meditation, a little longer each time.

Then I will ask a question and we will open the mic for sharing your reflections.

After all of that we will close with a time of communion.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is the Latin phrase which means “Spiritual Reading”

The practice dates back to at least the sixth century, possibly even the third.

Origen, Ambrose and Augustine used the term “spiritual reading”, but the steps were not made clear until later.

It was published as a four-step process by a monk (Guigo II) in the Eleven Hundreds.

The practice of reading the scripture and meditating on it was sometimes described as “Jacobs Ladder” leading to heaven.

Today as Protestant Evangelicals we practice and teach hermeneutics which is the science of biblical interpretation.

What does the text say?

What does the text mean?

What does it means for us today?

But the steps of biblical exegesis are not so different from that of the spiritual reading

Lectio - reading the text

Meditatio - understanding the text

Oratio - praying over the text

Contemplatio - listening to God; obeying the text

Do you ever find that you Bible reading is just going through the motions?

Some people don’t read the Bible because they say they don’t get anything out of it.

What if we were to slow down and be more deliberate about the process?

Better yet, what if we do it together?

We are going to practice a spiritual reading of Psalm 40 and let God speak to us through the scripture and through each other.

First, let me describe the process in more detail:

Reading

We are going to read the passage multiple times.

It is important that we don’t just read the words, but that we hear them.

Reading aloud is an interpretive act as it requires expression and tone to give meaning to the words.

We are going to have three different readers, they may even use different translations.

Different readers gives us the opportunity to hear and interpret differently.

Meditation

When you are reading the scripture, it is also reading you.

How you feel when you hear the words? What you notice or ignore says something about you.

So when the scripture is read, pay attention, not just to the text but to what is going on inside you.

For meditation you want to take a bite sized piece of what you hear and chew on it.

Find a word or phrase that jumps out at you an mull it over until you understand what it means,and more importantly, what it means to you.

Prayer

Ask God about what you are hearing.

If you don’t understand why something is standing out to you, ask God!

Ask God what message he is trying to speak to you through the scripture.

Listen in the silence for God’s voice or at least for clues to what God might be saying.

Pay attention to what you think and feel. Expect God’s Presence to answer you.

Contemplation

Contemplation is cultivating an awareness of God’s Presence.

It is also becoming aware of what is on the inside of one’s self.

Thoughts and emotions that we have suppressed are brought to the light and held up against the truth of God’s Word.

Most important to this step is the alignment of our hearts with that of God.

First reading

We are going to pray, read the passage and then take two minutes for silent reflection.

As you are reflecting, what sticks in your mind?

I am going to give opportunity to share a word or a phrase that spoke to your heart. I will repeat it for those online.

“Lord, as we listen to your Word, illuminate it for us that we might hear what you are saying.”

Psalm 40:1–17 NLT

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. 4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. 5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. 6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” 9 I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. 10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. 11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 13 Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. 14 May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. 15 Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

Two minute countdown

Call out a word or a phrase that stands out to you from the text and I will repeat it for those online.

Second Reading

We are going to read the Psalm again.

This time I am going to have Vicki read it.

After she has finished reading we are going to have three minutes of silence.

I want you to use that time to pray about what you have heard.

Talk to God about what you are hearing and ask God the questions that are on your heart.

After the time of silence, I am going to ask 2 or 3 people to share what God is speaking to them.

Psalm 40:1–17 AMP

1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. 3 And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord. 4 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; no one can compare with You! If I should declare and speak of them, they are too many to be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require. 7 Then said I, Behold, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me; 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart. 9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly [tidings of uprightness and right standing with God]. Behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord. 10 I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart; I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation. I have not hid away Your steadfast love and Your truth from the great assembly. 11 Withhold not Your tender mercy from me, O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me! 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about; my iniquities have taken such hold on me that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me and forsaken me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me! 14 Let them be put to shame and confounded together who seek and require my life to destroy it; let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor who wish me evil and delight in my hurt! 15 Let them be desolate by reason of their shame who say to me, Aha, aha! 16 Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified! 17 [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!

3 Minute Countdown

What is God saying to you through the scripture?

Who has heard something from God that you would be willing to share with the congregation?

Come to the mic so those online can hear.

And if you are online and want to share something, you can type it in the chat to Karie or send one of us a text and we will share it.

Third Reading

We are going to read the Psalm a third time.

This time I am going to have Jeffery read it.

After he has finished reading we are going to have five minutes of silence.

I want you to continue your conversation with God.

Ask God what He wants you to do with what you have heard.

You might find yourself wrestling with what God is saying, but remember that he won’t ask you to do anything that He will not also equip and empower you to do.

Concentrate on His Presence and His sufficiency as you contemplate what is your part.

After the time of silence, I am going to ask 2 or 3 people to either share what God is speaking to them or perhaps to simply lead out in a corporate prayer for strength and boldness to obey God.

Psalm 40:1–17 ESV

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! 12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! 14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! 15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!” 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” 17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

5 Minute Countdown

What is God directing to you to do through the scripture?

Who has heard something from God that you would be willing to share with the congregation?

Come to the mic so those online can hear.

Perhaps it is not so much sharing as it is making a declaration of your obedience to God.

Or perhaps if what you are sharing is true for many of us, you would lead us in a prayer of response to God.

Communion

Psalm 40:6–8 NLT

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

Jesus became the sacrifice for sin.

When we take this bread - it is not so that God will forgive us or save us - He has already done that!

He wants to open our ears to hear Him.

He wants to have relationship - fellowship with us.

We are partaking of His body - we are His Body!

By partaking, we are renewing our connection to the Head - to Christ our source.

As we partake of the bread, tell God that you are listening and that you delight to do His will.

Lord Jesus Christ, let this bread that we partake, not only remind us of you, but let it be you in us. Open our spiritual ears. Connect us to you. Let your voice be the voice that moves us. Write your Word on our hearts. Let your joy be our strength!

Psalm 40:11–13 NLT

11 Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 13 Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

God knows that we get discouraged.

He knows that we have challenges - we have a sinful nature and we live in a sinful world.

That is why He shed His blood for us.

His blood is righteousness.

His blood is holiness.

His blood is strength.

His blood is life.

If you don’t have what it takes, its OK - He does!

As we partake of this cup- confess your frailty to the Lord, but open yourself to the impartation of His strength.

Open yourself to a fresh infilling of His Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ, let this cup that we drink not only remind us of your blood, but let it be your life in us. When we bleed, it is because we are wounded and weak. It reminds us of our frailty. But you poured out your life willingly because you have power and strength that is beyond anything we know. Fill us with your life, you power and your Spirit. Live in us and through us as we partake of you.

Psalm 40:16–17 NLT

16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.