Recently I saw something rather interesting. Well, to me it was. On my morning commute, a lady across from me took out her Bible, read for two minutes, promptly closed and put it away. Then she took out one of the daily tabloids and read for the remainder of the journey. I should point out that the journey lasted about 40 minutes. Of course, there could have been all kind of reasons for the disparity in reading times. However, what made the whole thing interesting for me was that almost immediately the words of the Psalmist came to mind: "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10, KJV).
The word translated "law" may be understood as meaning all that teaches us true religion, and therefore it is no exaggeration to agree with Matthew Henry that the Word of God "is of much greater benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe, or the light of the sun." When received by faith, it is more precious than gold; it is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey. Honey is often touted not only for its sweetness and fine taste, but also for its curative (healing) effects. The honeycomb is often mentioned, for it is considered superior in flavor, sweetness, and richness to honey that has been exposed to the air for a time. It is no wonder the proverb states, "Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and a healing to the bones” (Pr 16:24; 24:13, 14).
If the honeycomb with all its sweetness is a healing to the bones, how much more the Word of God is a healing to our spirits? Bible Commentator John Gills observes: "They [the words of God] are the means of curing the diseases of the mind; of healing wounded spirits, and broken hearts, and broken bones; they make the bones which were broken to rejoice; what heals the bones strengthens the whole man, a man's strength lying much in his bones; these strengthen the inward man, cause believers to go from strength to strength, and to hold on and persevere to the end."
Knowing the benefits of staying in the Word, it is no wonder the enemy tries to keep us away from it! It is easy to find believers who have no problem becoming engrossed in reading secular novels and other materiel while complaining they find the Bible boring or do not have the time to read it. Yet true worshippers not only take delight in reading, meditating and acting on the Word of God, they also expect the Word to change their lives. In other words, the more time we spend in the Word, the more opportunities there are for the Word to shape our thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes. So let us understand that while reading is a wonderful hobby, we should not neglect the reading of the Word. Once we start to "chew" on it, we too will discover "more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
What has been on your taste buds lately?
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