Last time, we thought about how important it is to get a daily “beauty treatment” for our hearts. Now, I want to dig a little deeper into how we can do that.
One of the most important things in this beauty treatment is reading God’s word. So, what’s the deal, you’re wondering. Why is it so necessary? Let me introduce you to someone who can answer that better than I can – the writer of the famous 176-verse Psalm 119.
This guy didn’t just read God’s word because he had to. It wasn’t some sort of duty he endured. He loved God’s word.
He was passionate about God’s word. At least 9 times, he used the word delight in talking about his feelings towards God’s law. Another 10 times, he used the word love. Compare it to the way you feel when indulging in a rich chocolate fudge brownie. Yeah, he loved it that much. He said it was “sweeter than honey.”
Maybe this isn’t the way you’re used to thinking about the Bible. “It’s too hard to understand,” or “I don’t really have time,” you say, “And I think the Psalm 119 guy went a little overboard.” Do you know why he loved God’s word so much? Because he saw its value. He had experienced for himself how superbly helpful it is. For example, he said that it was good for these things:
- Direction. It helps you know what to do with your life, how to live, and how to cope with difficult situations. (v. 133)
- Protection from sin. Because the writer knew God’s word, it helped keep him from doing wrong (v.11)
- Hope. Over and over, he said that God’s word gave him hope in difficult situations. (vv. 43, 49,74, 81).
- Understanding. In fact, he said that God’s word gave him more understanding than his teachers! (v.99)
And those are just a few of the treasures to be found by getting into God’s word! But, as you might have guessed, a quick-fix read-a-few-verses isn’t enough. Check back next time to see how the writer of Psalm 119 was able to get so much from God’s word – and how he was able to love it so much.
