Panting for Your Bible

This devotional is a tad bit different. It’s going to be really personal. It’s check-up time. It’s time to ask yourself a direct question: when have you last craved your Bible? You have a Bible in your bedroom or do you? Some who used to always take their Bible to their room now leave it in the car until the next time it is publicly needed. But assuming you do have one in your bedroom or on your desk, when have you last held it in your hands with anticipation and excitement? Seriously!

Christians who are doing well spiritually love their Bible – they love to read it. They are excited when they find they have more time to read it than they originally thought they had. Something else was cancelled or delayed so it allowed them some extra time to read their Bible – which in turn made their day.

“Oh,” you say – “they’re book worms. I’m not one of those types. I’m not a student or a reader. I have to be doing something. I am too restless. I just can’t pick up my Bible and go off in a corner and enjoy reading it … or any other book for that matter.”  Do you mind being told – that’s a bit of a cop out!

Christians who are walking close to the Lord enjoy their Bible – regardless of their literacy levels. Adults who were illiterate before they trusted Christ learned how to read and today they love reading their Bible, despite the tedious nature of the ‘reading’ process. Christians who are visually impaired love to ‘read’ their Bible by listening to it on audio or by reading it with their fingers. Regardless of the process a Christian has to use for their personal intake of the Word of God, the point is, Christians who love the Lord love their Bible too. They don’t just own one or read one – they ‘love’ it.

Here’s an ancient testimony of a person who recorded his feelings about the Word of God. Can you relate to his sentiments? Instead of the personal pronouns like I, my and me – try inserting your own name each time to see if it truly reflects how you are feeling today about the Word of God.

 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.  I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name.  Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law.

(Psalm 119:129-136)

Have you ever seen a thirsty dog waiting while its Master fills up the dish with fresh water? The dog anxiously stands by with its mouth open…. and what’s it doing? Panting! Have you ever panted for your Bible craving some quiet time just to crack it open and let the Word of God sink and soak into your heart? Have you ever sincerely prayed that your footsteps and lifestyle would be closely regulated by the Word of God? Have you ever wept when you have seen a Christian friend drift away from their Bible and from walking closely with the Lord?

If you and your Bible have been drifting further and further apart for one reason or another, why not let today be the day you rediscover its beauty and allow its contents to nourish and feed your soul. You can not survive spiritually without it.

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com