Recently I was praying with a couple of women and I was so drawn by their love and passion for the Word of God. As believers they were suffering terrible persecution from their family members for their faith. But the hunger for the Word was so evident in their lives as they were sharing with me about what all they have to do ONLY so they could lay hands on their Bibles.
There’s this another believer woman, new to the Bible, who calls me from her village (where there are no believers), only so I can explain a few scriptures for her to meditate upon.
Wow!!!
So much to learn from these mighty women – while many of us have dozens of Bibles in our homes, they gather dust simply because we have other ‘worthwhile’ things to do in life.
Meanwhile I was also reading about another lover of God’s Word – the writer of Psalms 119. What a beautiful psalm! A look at the Scriptures and the love for God’s Word is so evident in the Psalmist’s life!
Here are some words he uses:
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches ( Verse 14).
You will celebrate only what you value. When was the last time we celebrated God’s Word?
Your word is more precious to me than thousand pieces of silver and gold. (Verse 72)
On one side I have all that the treasures of the world, and on the other side I have the Word. And I choose to stay with you, because when I have you I have everything else!
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors (Verse 24)
Your Word is the reference point of all my decisions. I depend on the counsel of Your Word more than what my friends, or people around me have to say, even more than what my mind has to say. I know while others can, your counsel will never fail me.
My soul is consumed for longing for your Word at all times. (Verse 20)
I am desperate for your Word. I yearn for it day and night. This hunger is insatiable.
My heart trembles at your Word. (Verse 161)
My awe at your words keeps me stable ( MSG).
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. ( Verse 13)
I deposit your Word in my heart and with my mouth I bring it forth.
Here are some of the other words used in this Psalm. I meditate ( 97), delight ( 14,16), long for it ( 20), ask for understanding/ counsel (26), love ( 167), hope (43,74), value ( 72), etc
As I write this, I pray that our generation will be different. I pray that we would be lovers of God’s Word, and this love would only grow more intense with the passing of time. The more we know of God’s Word, the more we would be unsatisfied!
Are you with me?