In our busy lives, we might "soak up" all kinds of information, some helpful, some not. Yet "soaking" in God's Word is a good habit.
Read Psalm 1:1–6
‘Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.’ (vv1–3)
The Bible is full of references to the benefits of allowing God’s Word, the Bible, to inform, guide and direct our lives (Psalm 12:6 and Psalm 119:1–176).
We can be confident that as those ‘planted’ in His Word, we will not wither under the heat of circumstance.
Another psalm, the very first psalm, gives us a picture of the life of someone whose ‘delight is in the law of the LORD’ (v2), describing such a person as, ‘like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season’ (v3a).
This picture of a flourishing tree is used in other places within the Bible to depict spiritual flourishing (e.g. Jer. 17:7–9).
It can be easy in our busy world to allow ourselves to ‘soak up’ all sorts of information, some helpful, other sources not so. Yet a great habit to cultivate is the one of ‘soaking’ in God’s Word.
It is only as we are planted in His Word - empowered by His Spirit, that we become fruitful.
As we do so, we can expect a spiritually fruitful life. Additionally, when we face times of challenge, we can be confident that as those ‘planted’ in His Word, we will not wither under the heat of circumstance.
Alternatively, if we restrict our access to God’s life-changing Word to the Sunday sermon, or occasional devotionals, it may not be surprising to find ourselves floundering in life’s storms.
It is only as we are planted in His Word – empowered by His Spirit, that we become fruitful.
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, thank You for Your Word that nourishes us and helps us to flourish. Amen.’
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
How are we regularly planting ourselves in God’s Word?
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Psalm 33; Psalm 119; Jer. 17:5–18; Matt. 7:15–20
Photo by Nicholas Safran on Unsplash
