God’s Word Is Sweeter Than Honey
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Job 9, 10 and Psalm 119:97-104 (NIV)
(Foo Yu Da, Chairperson, Witness & Evangelism)
READ:
Psalm 119:97-104 (NIV)
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long… How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.” (Psalm 119:97, 103, 104)
OBSERVE:
The psalmist’s love for Scripture is vividly described in this passage, “…how I love your law!” (v97), a love that is so strong that “I meditate on it all day long” (v97). He goes on to compare God’s Word to a taste in his mouth: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (v103). That really gives me a strong vision of how the joy of Scripture should be like in my life.
But at the same time, I definitely struggle with sustaining that love for Scripture. It gets challenging and does not always feel like joy. In fact, I admit that, at times, it feels like a chore for me, to check off for the day.
As such, this passage is a reminder and an encouragement for me to recall the deep joy I have experienced when spending extended time reading, and reflecting on Scripture. I even recall experiencing burning sensations in my heart!
Loving and meditating on Scripture will also give me a strong sense of hatred for every wrong path (v104). This will lead me to living the fullness of life God wants for me.
APPLY:
This passage has certainly reignited my desire to go back to His Word, to treat it seriously, and savour it like it is sweeter than honey. My walk with God and my reading of His Word should not be just another item on my checklist. I shall set aside time to spend with the One I love so deeply.
DO:
I will commit to start my day with reading and reflecting on Scripture and not be distracted by emails, messages, etc until I have spent time with God. I also aim to start my day slightly earlier to give myself more time to soak in His Word.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, I pray that your Holy Spirit continues to fill me and prompt me with the desire to go back to Your Word, to enjoy Your fresh revelation daily, and to stand out at work each day transformed by Your grace. Increase in me, the joy of the Lord, and may this joy permeate and change the lives of those around me. Please help me to turn away from sin. Amen.
