God’s Word (Revival – Day 2)

God’s Word

O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy word is very pure. Therefore, thy servant loves it. -Psalm 119:97; 140

Word Study:

• love (desire; delight; to be fond of; covet)
• meditation (reflection; devotion; meditation; prayer)
• pure (to refine; purge away impurities; sincere)

We are to have an attitude of desiring and delighting God’s Word.  It is to be our devotion for reflection, meditation and prayer.  As we devote ourselves to these good things, we will be refined in character, and our impurities will be purged by the pureness of the Word.  If we don’t practice the habit of daily reading the word and meditating on God’s law, then we will not know Him, and we can be subject to temptation which can easily lead astray.  The Psalmist found that his appetite for the Lord grew stronger as He meditated on the word.  May we all read this verse and praise the King in the same way!

Sweet Lord, I do love to study your word and delight in the truths it reveals.  Your word refreshes my soul and gives me joy.  It reveals your nature and your love, and with it I am your creature.  Continue to work the Holy Spirit within me to beckon me to your word so that by it I may know you more intimately and love you more fully.  Continue to teach me to love others, and keep me at your service. -Amen

Do You Love Me?

I am reminded this week of Christ’s words to Peter just before He left him for the last time. “Do you love me?” He asked. It seemed almost rhetorical. “Yes,” Peter said. I’m sure Peter didn’t expect Jesus to ask again, and again. And the third time totally and completely touched this man’s heart to the very core. It riveted him.  One can nearly feel the emotional weight of the question–of Peter’s grief that although he sinned, this God-man was willing to reinstate the love and sow into Peter’s heart the seeds of mercy and forgiveness.

It’s the same question He asks of us over and over again. These challenges in our lives are not without purpose; not without reason; not without response. They are set in place so that we will be frustrated by them and find our broken hearts at a crossroad. Then He reinstates us with His simple, but profound words.

“Do you love me?” He asks.

It is rhetorical. Christ knows the answer. He wants us to know it and to own it. He wants our hearts to be His.

“Yes Jesus, I do. Please show me how to love you better.”

My answer is humble and simple, but in it bears the weight of responsibility.  It’s time to feed the sheep.