Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DELICIOUS (02/04/16)
-
TITLE: Life-Long Learner | Previous Challenge Entry
By Stanley McMahon
02/10/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
There were three key lecturers at the time who had an immense influence on my understanding of Scripture, of the Church and of the Lord Himself. There was Victor Reid, the principal, whose passion for the person of God was brimming over in his lectures. He loved theology but he was always at pains to emphasise to his students that we were made to love and know Him. His lectures on the so-called Minor Prophets, who were really spiritual giants, still come to mind. Although my exuberant youth and loud mouth often caused him grief, he was nonetheless a patient man and saw fit to keep me there for the duration of the course. This man taught me to love God for Himself, to pursue His glory and nothing else.
Val English was the pastor of the team and a simply brilliant preacher. He was able to take Victor’s passion for God and relate it through the Scriptures to the Church. It was Val who gave me an appreciation, not only for preaching, but also for the weird and wonderful people of God. I gleaned much from his wisdom and approach.
Leslie McFall was known simply as ‘the Doc’. If Victor was bursting with passion, then Leslie displayed a superfluity (he would have liked that word!) of intellect. He once wrote a book on the Enigma of the Hebrew vowel system. Honestly. Dr McFall made you think and challenged every presupposition. He drove me to the Word. He made me put down deep roots and out of that came an absolute conviction and faith in the Word of God. It is this aspect of my learning, the Word itself, that I want to focus on presently.
In Psalm 19 David is reflecting on Creation and rejoicing that it reveals the glory of God in the first six verses. His next thought moves naturally on to God’s Word, so that in verses six to nine he focuses on six different aspects of this, naming His law, His statutes, precepts, commands, fear and decrees. Much of this is poetic expression for the same thing, although a more skilful commentator than me could doubtless dissect them and discuss the differences. His point is that the Word of the Lord is flawless and right and brings light and joy and refreshes the soul. His appreciation of this culminates in his description in verse ten of its value being more precious than gold and sweeter than the honey from the honeycomb.
Honey is also known for its healing value and it brings to mind another memory from my Bible College days. During my last year, I did a two-month spell with one of my peers who had since left and was youth pastor at a local church. We called it a field term. David Beasant, who later emigrated to Australia, (not related to my field term), shared his family, his faith and his practices with me during that time. He regularly drank milk and honey during a scheduled fast. He said it was good for the vocals when he was preaching and of course the fasting helped him focus as he prepared for teaching the Word. It was an effective combination.
The Scriptures are sweet to the soul when life can produce bitter experiences. It strengthens, revives, comforts, challenges, inspires and generally provides us with wisdom for living and knowledge of God. Now that’s what I call an invaluable source of sustenance.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Blessings~