Love His Word

Family reunions were a big part of my childhood - the annual gathering of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins ... and oh, of course, the food! After the initial greetings - many of which was sheer endurance - us cousins ran off to see what we could get into. The Book of Nehemiah tells of a long-awaited family gathering: after seventy years of Babylonian captivity, once back in their homeland "all the people gathered together as one man at the open square ... and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding ... then he read from it ... from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and women, those who could understand; and all the people listened carefully to the Book of the Law." (From Nehemiah 8:1-3 AMP). From early morning to mid-day, the people listened to the reading of God's words. Recent studies tell us the average adult sustained attention span is 15-20 minutes before needing a break; however, on topics of high-interest, the attention span is significantly increased. The psalmist wrote, "Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97 ESV). Herein lies a fundamental problem: we lack a deep longing for what God has to say, and why is that so? That lack-of-love for God's words is rooted in a genuine lack-of-love for God Himself. Jesus said the heart remains true to its greatest treasure: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21 ESV). What a strong reminder to those who love The Lord with all their heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:5) - that God's words are a treasure to read, listen to and embrace. Those words are the very breath of God; yes, they are life-giving. The simple profound truth is if we truly love God, we ... love His Word.