There were couches scattered around the room and people with their heads bowed; a dimly lit room with full of men and women. There were words on a screen that reflected thoughts that had consumed my mind all too often. Heavy thoughts of unknown fears, and anxiety. I was standing in the back listening to one of the pastors speak with passion about how important it is to feed on scripture. The words of Jesus are the "bread of life" he said, (John 6:35). It was truth I had heard countless times throughout my life, but has become a tired phrase that I struggle to understand the reality of. Okay, I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but if God's word says it is living and active and says it is the bread of life, what practical things can I do to apply this to my life? How then shall we live?
Joshua says that we should meditate day and night:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
In the book of Psalms it talks about the man who meditates and delights in the law of the Lord:
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3
I love the imagery of this verse, "like a tree planted by streams of water". That's pretty cool, I'd be down to be planted by streams of water. If you were to ask me, "is your soul refreshed?" If I'm honest, I would have to say, "no, I'm pretty exhausted." If you asked me, "do the precepts of the Lord give joy to your heart and are they more precious than gold?" (Honestly) I, uh..... what does that even mean? Sure they do. No, if I dig deep, in a day-to-day sense, I'm not sure they do. I read the bible, and then put it down and go about my day, and I'm not entirely sure I believe that scripture is truly "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12). This is why we must meditate on it day and night. We must read it yes, but we must store up his word in our heart. In order to do this we must pray and ask God to reveal his word to us, we must read it, write about it, talk about it, and apply it. God has given us a great treasure in his word!
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:1-8
This passage in Psalm 19 has continued to stir my heart and bring light to the value of the gospel:
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:7-10
When God begins to reveal his word to me I have to start asking honest questions: Is anything I say trustworthy? Who's words can I trust? How can I know what is true? Who holds the words of truth?
God does.
Because His words are trustworthy, they give life. Because "the law of the Lord is perfect", our souls are refreshed. His words are the words of life. Apart from him I can do nothing.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
