Delight in the Law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 1:2

Monday, we looked at what the man (or woman) who is blessed by God shouldn’t do. Today, we look at what we should do.

Our delight should be in the law of the Lord. One’s delight is what “brings a high degree of gratification or extreme satisfaction.” It is “something that gives great pleasure” (Webster’s Dictionary). When we delight in God’s word, we “take great pleasure” in His commandments and promises. We revel in those scriptures that encourage and affirm, and we strive to live by those passages that convict and exhort.

So how do we find great pleasure in God’s word? We study it. We learn from it. Indeed, we meditate on it “day and night.”

You know what “day and night” means to me? And even as I write these words, I’m feeling very convicted. It’s certainly more than reading a verse now and again. It’s even more than reading a bit of scripture every day.

“Day and night” means something more. It means regularly and consistently spending time interacting with the words God inspired. It means studying them, pondering them. Praying over them.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to speak to His children, and one of the ways He does so is through His written word. He longs to bless us, but to receive the blessing of hearing His voice through the Bible, we must spend time in it.

Delighting in it. Day and night.

God's Inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God was under no obligation to leave a written message for us. He could have created us, and then just let us figure things out on our own. But He loves us too much for that. He wanted to leave a means to communicate with us.

The Bible is a seamless document covering centuries, written by the pens of disparate men, with a single message: God is gracious and loving, and it is His desire that everyone be in relationship with Him.

As we read His word, as we study it, we learn about the history of the people of Israel and other nations. We are inspired by songs and poems and letters. We are convicted to be loving and kind and joyful, and we’re reproved when we’re angry or envious or jealous.

And why did God give us this amazing book? So that we who follow Him will be “equipped for every good work.” Just as a soldier needs to be equipped with his weapon, we need the Bible—the sword of the Spirit—to be equipped to face each day’s battles and to do the work God has called us to do.

Don’t take this gift for granted. Don’t let it gather dust on a shelf. In humble gratitude, take it out every day. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it.

And thank God for loving you so much that He provided it for you.

Meditate ... Day and Night (Psaln 1:2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 1:2

Yesterday, we looked at what the man (or woman) who is blessed by God shouldn’t do. Today, we look at what we should do.

Our delight should be in the law of the Lord. One’s delight is what “brings a high degree of gratification or extreme satisfaction.” It is “something that gives great pleasure” (Webster’s Dictionary). When we delight in God’s word, we “take great pleasure” in His commandments and promises. We revel in those scriptures that encourage and affirm, and we strive to live by those passages that convict and exhort.

So how do we find great pleasure in God’s word? We study it. We learn from it. Indeed, we meditate on it “day and night.”

You know what “day and night” means to me? And even as I write these words, I’m feeling very convicted. It’s certainly more than reading a verse now and again. It’s even more than reading a bit of scripture every day.

“Day and night” means something more. It means regularly and consistently spending time interacting with the words God inspired. It means studying them, pondering them. Praying over them.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to speak to His children, and one of the ways He does so is through His written word. He longs to bless us, but to receive the blessing of hearing His voice through the Bible, we must spend time in it.

Delighting in it. Day and night.

God's Word ... Amazing! (Psalm 19:7-11)

Today's scripture: Psalm 19:7-11

Have I mentioned how much I love, love, love God's word? I don't know why I'm continually amazed how it speaks to me in new ways even though I've read it all the way through each year for the last decade and even though I've studied books, chapters, and verses over and over again.

I have to confess, though, that I hadn't been focusing on in-depth study for a while. I did read daily devotionals, write this blog, do topical studies, and continue my "through the year" reading, but I wasn't truly meditating on God's word.

I just let "life" take over ... and I know me. If I want to be grounded in the Bible and continue to grow in my faith, I must have this focused time.

God knows my heart and my desire to know Him more, so He blessed me with a new small group at church a few weeks ago, and we began a study in the book of James ... and I remembered how amazing His word truly is.

Then, this morning, I meditated on today's scripture, and tears filled my eyes. May I encourage you to read through them again? And again? Maybe in a few different versions (I especially love the CEV's paraphrase)?

God's word is such an amazing gift. It encourages, affirms, educates, edifies, convicts, teaches ... sometimes all at the same time. I encourage you to spend time, real time, in it every day. Meditate on its truths. Revel in its encouragement. Learn from its conviction.

And delight in the knowledge that your God loves you so very much that He left a written document ... just for you!

The Gift of God's Word (Psalm 71:17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 71:17

I've written before how grateful I am for God's written word, the Bible. God could have just thrown us into this crazy world and let us fend for ourselves, not really knowing how to find hope.

He's such a good God, though. He inspired a host of writers over centuries to capture history, poetry, prophecy, letters of conviction and encouragement, and a hint of what is to come.

Through His word, we know Him, we know His plan of redemption, we know His love for us.

When we study the scriptures, we are taught by the God of the universe Himself. We learn of creation. We learn of hope. We learn of the Source of strength and peace.

Because we know this God—as much as the created can really know the Creator—we can "declare [His] wondrous works." We can tells others of His blessings in the ancient past and of His blessings today.

How often, though, do we take this amazing gift for granted? I know I'm guilty of just reading the Bible in a quick and cursory way. Instead of rejoicing in the thought that God wrote these words through the pens of men for me, I just read a verse or two and then go on with my day.

Oh, Lord, let me not treat Your word as just another "to do." Let me study and meditate on its truth every day. Let me be inspired or encouraged or convicted. Let me revel in the knowledge that You want to speak to me through it. Thank You for this amazing gift. Amen.

Delight in God's Word (Psalm 1:2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 1:2

Yesterday, we looked at what the man (or woman) who is blessed by God shouldn’t do. Today, we look at what we should do.

We should "delight ... in the law of the Lord." One’s delight is what “brings a high degree of gratification or extreme satisfaction.” It is “something that gives great pleasure” (Mirriam-Webster Dictionary). When we delight in God’s word, we “take great pleasure” in His commandments and promises. We revel in those scriptures that encourage and affirm, and we strive to live by those passages that convict and exhort.

And how do we find great pleasure in God’s word? We study it. We learn from it. Indeed, we meditate on it “day and night.”

You know what “day and night” means to me? And even as I write these words, I’m feeling very convicted. It’s certainly more than reading a verse now and again. It’s even more than reading a bit of scripture every day.

“Day and night” means something more. It means regularly and consistently spending time interacting with the words God inspired. It means studying them, pondering them. Praying over them.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to speak to His children, and one of the ways He does so is through His written word. He longs to bless us, but to receive the blessing of hearing His voice through the Bible, we must spend time in it.

Delighting in it. Day and night.