Read Psalms 18
Highlights:
Thanksgiving for deliverance; creation and Covenants of God; praise for victory; cry of anguish and song of praise.
The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul . . . The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart . . . sweeter also than honey (Ps. 19:7-10).
God's Word is sweeter . . . than honey. Jeremiah said: Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart (Jer. 15:16). Not only are we to learn from the Word of God, but we are also to eat of it and enjoy it. God's Word is food to nourish the believer. Then as the psalmist said, we can say: How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! (Ps. 119:103).
When a baby is born, his immediate need is to drink milk. Without nourishment, the baby will fail to grow. Our immediate need is to recognize the purpose of reading the Bible. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:2). The Word of God provides the good things our spiritual self needs. The vitamins and minerals of the Spirit are found in God's Word. These are essential if we are to grow to be men and women of God. These vitamins and minerals of God's Word will become part of us. Then, they will be transformed into the works of the Spirit in our lives.
Jesus even spoke of God's Word as spiritual food: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).
Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is different from any other word or book. The world has only the words of human beings, but the Bible is the Word of Almighty God! Although you may not understand certain passages, you are still nourished through reading His Word. The more of God's Word that you read the better you will be able to understand what you are reading. The Bible will explain itself if we allow it to do so. Scripture reinforces Scripture. Thereby, if we continue to read, we will come to an understanding of what the Word of God is saying to us. Thus, the Scriptures became spiritual food by which our spiritual life is sustained, nourished up in the words of faith (I Tim. 4:6).
Thought for Today:
Have you given the Word of God priority in your life today?
Christ Revealed:
As the One to whom the Psalms refer when they speak of the nails that pierced His hands and feet on the cross and the parting of His clothing (Ps. 22:16,18). When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take (Mark 15:24; also Matt. 27:35; Luke 23:34; John 19:18).
Word Studies:
18:2 horn of my salvation, my strong deliverer; 18:26 froward (first use), crooked; froward (second use), opposed; 18:45 close places, fortresses or strongholds; 22:5 confounded, put to shame; 22:7 shoot out the lip, ridicule, hurl insults; 22:17 tell, count.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Tifany Edwards • Government Officials: Rep. Edward Lopez Pastor (AZ), Rep. Donna F. Edwards (MD), Sen. Carl Levin (MI), and Rep. Mike G. Fitzpatrick (PA) • Country: Kirabati (86,000) 3 islands in southwestern Pacific • Major languages: English and Gilbutese • Religious freedom • 52% Roman Catholic; 44% Protestant; 2% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Let your prayers express gratitude to God for His wonderful works (Ps. 9:1).
Optional Reading: Colossians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Lamentations 3:22-23