In His amazing grace God has preserved for us His holy Word as the ultimate guide for living. Every believer is to feast upon the riches of God’s Word on a daily basis in order to persevere through trials and to successfully discern God’s will. Deep in his heart every believer knows that they are to crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:1). The Holy Spirit drives us on to know the truth and to apply it to our lives. We learn to hunger for the nourishment that feeds our souls.
Every true believer longs to have his life described by David’s words in Psalm 1:2. The sweet psalmist of Israel described the heart of the righteous with these words: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Is that a description of your heart’s hunger for the Word of God? Since we know the Word is God’s truth and since we have tasted of His goodness, it should naturally follow that we long to feed on and meditate on the Word each day. The Word brought us to salvation and the Word sanctifies us for the Lord’s glory. It is the spiritual food of which this world knows nothing.
James 1:19 tells us that we should be “swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This is especially true when it comes to our reading of God’s Word. Quite often we find ourselves hurrying through a passage that is familiar to us that we miss unexpected treasures. We often argue with God’s Word when it conflicts with our opinions. We often become angry when the Word confronts our sin. Instead of being so quick to speak and quick to become angry we need to respond with a humble heart that says, like Samuel of old, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
In his commentary on the Book of James, J. A. Motyer reminds us of the futile practice of reading God’s Word without paying attention. Motyer writes, “It is possible to be unfailingly regular in Bible reading, but to achieve no more than to have moved the book-mark forward: this is reading unrelated to an attentive spirit. The word is read but not heard.” (J. A. Motyer, The Message of James [Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1985], 64–65)
How we must long for the pure milk of the Word. It is the only Source of true nourishment for our souls. After all, God has given the written revelation of Himself so we may truly know Him and His purpose for our lives. So, be sure that you do more than move the bookmark. Be sure your read…..That You May Know (1 John 5:13)
That You May Know Ministries 