Desire for God's Word

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.  ~Psalm 119:48

There are times when the joy of knowing a gracious and merciful God fills one's heart to the point of overflowing and we lift up our hands towards heaven. Here in this verse, the psalm writer expresses that same kind of overflowing joy and his boundless love for the Word of God. Evidently, the Scriptures are a central part of his life and they receive more than a casual glance once or twice a week. Do we love God this much? Does His Word bring unspeakable joy to our hearts? Perhaps all we can find are burdensome commandments...

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.  ~1 John 5:3

Our love for God and His place in our lives can be measured by our attitude toward His Word. If all we can get out of reading the Bible is a list of burdensome commandments, then we must question our relationship with Him. If we truly love God, then we do not see a list of do's and don'ts within the pages of the Bible, but instead we find words of life and instruction unto righteousness.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  ~2 Timothy 3:16

The entirety of Scripture is inspired by God, every page, every sentence, every word. It is perfect instruction from a Holy God to a people lost and enslaved by sin. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us the source of truth that will never change, but one which has power to change our hearts! His Word is like fresh clear water that cleanses us and revives our soul. Can you imagine trying to cross the desert without water? Take it one step further, do you bring the water with you, but only take a sip from it once or even ignore it altogether? The Word of God is an infinite source of life giving water and that is where we should find ourselves planted...

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.  ~ Psalm 1:3

The lack of, or abundance of God's Word in our lives has a direct impact on our spiritual life and well-being. When we are Born Again, there should be a desire, a thirst for all God has to say. The Bible provides that spiritual water so we might drink daily, even moment by moment. Some of us however, have become spiritual camels, and only come to the water one day a week and go thirsty the other six. I pray God plants within you a greater desire for His Word and that you would search the Scriptures diligently to see if these things that I say are so. When once you begin to take in God's Word don't forget what is supposed to happen next...

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  ~James 1:22