Prepare – Psalm 119:1-1
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Keep reading the rest of Psalm 119 for an amazing look at the preciousness of God’s Word.)
Devotional
Matthew 4:4 says, “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’ God’s Word is life.
If we attempt to sustain the body with little to no food, we will grow weak, prone to sickness and very possibly die. The body needs food for sustenance. We can’t think clearly or make good decisions without proper nutrition. If our soul is not given what it needs – love, value and safety, it will deteriorate. We were created for a steady flow of soul nutrition. And, of course, a true believer of Jesus Christ has need of satisfaction for their spirit. Pausing to ask ourselves whether or not our spirit is receiving what it needs is essential.
God has given us His Holy Spirit to bring scripture to life. I Corinthians 2:6-16 talks about a secret and hidden wisdom that God has for us through His Spirit. There is a revelation of truth that God delights in giving His children when we allow the Holy Spirit in us to connect with God’s Word. His Word brings life with the truth that sets us free (John 8:31b-32). Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” It makes no sense to have access to the healing, transformative, life-giving Word of God and not utilize it. It’s like having the vaccine for Covid-19 and not taking it.
It’s easy to get distracted with all the things happening in our world. I know I can have good intentions of spending deep time with God in His Word and in prayer, but time is gone in a blink and I rush into my day with just a nibble, not the feast He prepared for me and that my heart longs for.
I want to challenge you and I to not pick up the phone or turn on the tv without first hearing from God. Sit deeply with Him. Ask Him to speak through His Word, the Bible. What would look differently in today if for 30 minutes we allowed God’s Word to spiritually fill us up?
~ Loree Veith
Praise
Watch and listen to “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe and “Good Good Father” by Chris Tomlin.
