240. ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT GOD’S WORD?

(The Faith Forum Series – Batch 6)

I absolutely love meditating on the Word of God and extracting the precious truths, principles and lessons contained in it. I could never get enough, as I have found it to be a book filled with wisdom and awesome treasures, that are inexhaustibly unsearchable.

Romans 11:33 rightly states, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

In Ephesians 3:8, the apostle Paul referred to “…the unsearchable riches of Christ” and this is exactly what the Word (which is Christ) is. I can never come away, after studying and think that I have finally gotten all there is to get and learned all that there is to lean from the Bible. Irrespective of how many hours I’ve spent, I realize that I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. For, when I return, there are fresh truths waiting to be imparted to me. Even if I read the same portion again, there is something more that the Lord wishes to teach or to impress upon my heart, something I had not seen or digested before. In this regard, the Word of God proves itself to be truly alive and it keeps on giving and generously.

I therefore find myself spending most of my days meditating upon the Word of God, sometimes a chapter, a short portion of scripture or even just one verse read, resulting in me spending the rest of the day trying to extract and record as many principles as are being imparted into my spirit, as possible. On days like these, I don’t get hungry, as I’m feeding on the Word of God and time flies by. Before I know it, what began as a morning devotion session, ends up with me spending the next seven or so hours, without intermission, busily trying to type up all that I feel that God is teaching and depositing into my spirit, from his Word.

Not having a full time job at the moment, I am able to do this and while I do miss the 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. bustle, I am absolutely grateful for these moments and all that I am learning or being reminded of, while spending time at the foot of my Lord. I am grateful that he is having me write, as I know it will be for my own future benefit when I return to these writings to be reminded of truths and also to the benefit of others.

Some days I have wondered though, is it normal for me to take such delight in this? How is it that I could find such fun and excitement when God teaches me something from his Word and places it upon my heart to type it all up, for my own benefit and that of others? Why did I have such an intense love for the scriptures and for spending time reflecting, meditating and extracting from its beautiful truths? Was it normal to enjoy this so much, to the point that food was sometimes thrown to the backburner and forgotten, until the day had almost ended?

About two days ago, I got my answer. This may not be common with all of God’s children but it ought to be! It was perfectly normal, as a child of the King, to feel adoration for his Word and to love meditating upon it.

In fact, in the Bible, there is a record of someone who felt the exact same way. About two days ago, I read Psalm 119 and the words that the Psalmist used to describe his love for God’s Word, resonated with me. I felt like he was describing exactly how I felt!

From the Psalmist’s words, it was clear that he was PASSIONATE about the Word, EXCITED about the Word, SERIOUS about the Word and COMMITTED to the Word. He considered the Word in its entirety to be the ULTIMATE and ETERNAL AUTHORITY on all matters, NECESSARY to life, health and welfare, VALUABLE and more so than anything else on earth, including earthly riches or jewels.

He clearly BELIEVED and RELIED on the Word completely, held it in HIGHEST REGARD and APPRECIATED its guidance and instruction. He understood that the Word required OBEDIENCE and he willingly and eagerly SUBMITTED to it.

He was in AWE of the Word, took GREAT DELIGHT in it, found it to be GOOD, RIGHTEOUS, TRUE and PURE, ENJOYED it, spent quality time MEDITATING on it and considered it to be the GREATEST TREASURE ever.

He found his appetite for it to be INSATIABLE, that which he could not get enough of but wanted to be constantly SATURATED with for ever more. It was that which made him forget about time, feel hatred for every way that opposed its truths and ZEALOUS in promoting its cause.

It stirred up sorrow within, when people chose to their detriment to disobey its precepts and the Psalmist resolved faithfully, to never turn away from it or compromise on it, even in the face of affliction, infamy and suffering. Despite all that he was going through in life, all his problems and all the people who were after him to persecute him, he found a beautiful PEACE and tranquillity in God’s Word, and placed his HOPE in it.

Can you say the same? Is this your experience? Do you feel such devotion and delight for God’s Word?

In Revelation 3:14-15, the glorified Jesus sent a message to the Church at Laodicea through John, letting them know that he was not satisfied with their lukewarm, half-hearted, unenthusiastic attitude when it came to spiritual matters. He told them “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Jesus wanted them to be on fire, passionate and excited about him and his Kingdom business and this is also what he wants for those in the body of Christ today. If we are hot for Christ, we will also be enthusiastic and excited about the beautiful treasures contained in the scriptures and like the Bereans, we will not just be content to hear about them from a Preacher or Teacher but we will also actively search them out, never really feeling satisfied but always wanting to go back for more.

The Psalmist in Psalm 119 was definitely hot and on fire for the Word of God. He was not nonchalant or dismissive about the scriptures and the truths contained therein but instead, lived by it, hoped in it, felt intense love, devotion joy and gratitude for the Word, regarding it as the most precious, sweetest, priceless treasure, of all things that he had encountered in life.

This is clear from the intense language that he used to convey strong emotions about how he felt about God’s Word. For example, he stated:

I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches (14).

My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times (20).

Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors (24).

I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame (31).

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight (35).

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness (40).

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments (43).

And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes (47-48).

Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage (54).

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments (66).

The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. (69-70).

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. (72).

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. (77).

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? (81- 82).

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me (92-93).

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day (97).

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation (99).

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way (103-104).

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word (111-114).

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies (117-119).

Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments (127-131).

My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights (139-143).

I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word (147-148).

Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee (158-168).

(Written on 14th May, 2022)

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