Monday, August 2, 2010

VOTW Psalm 119:114

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” –Psalm 119:114

God’s word holds more power than our deepest fears.

God’s word holds more power than the fiercest army this world can build.

God’s word holds more power than the devil himself.

Yet, how many of us spend sufficient time studying God’s word? I know I don’t. Too often, I let life get in the way. I pretend that it’s okay to push my study time to the side “just for today” to pursue some other distraction (i.e. kids, work, cleaning). And maybe skipping it for one day isn’t that big of deal—but when one day turns into two, and then three, and before you know it a week has passed. You blink again and it’s already the first of the next month. Where did the time go?

Like I said, I’m guilty of this more often than I care to admit. I love reading the Bible, absorbing everything God has to tell me. So why do I keep letting life get in the way of something I love so much?

Well, it’s like salad.

Yes, I said it’s like salad. Follow me on this.

I love salad! That may make me slightly weird, but I do. Give me a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and hardboiled eggs any day! But—I love French fries, too…and pizza.

Some days, when faced with the choice of salad or French fries (or pizza), I opt for the French fries. Why? Maybe because it’s easier. Maybe because it’s more comforting. Maybe because I just like to savor the warm deliciousness as it slides over my taste buds and…oops, sorry. I forgot myself for a minute. Anyway, my point is, there are many different reasons I may decide on French fries in the moment—but they are definitely not better for me, right?

Starchy, fried-in-oil sticks of death—OR—lush green bed of renewal and taste? Potatoes that will clog my arteries and grow my hips—OR—Salad that will control my blood sugar and give me energy? The choice is simple.

So, like the French fries, the many distractions in my life that I feel have to be dealt with may satisfy me in the short term. Too soon, though, the consequences start to show on the hips—er—soul.

We need to remember that, although something might be easier or seem more important, doesn’t necessarily make it better for us. For a more lasting satisfaction that will help us, not just in this world, but the next, we should make more time to study God’s word for us. It’s calorie free!

2 comments:

  1. You hit the nail on the head! The is nothing more precious than an intimate relationship with the Lord~ I'm still trying to rein myself into the daily time that my relationship requires. I'm still missing the mark in this area.

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  2. Ralene, thanks for sharing this post. For many years, I was an occasional student of God's Word. During this last year, I've spent more time in the Word than I have since I was a teenager, and it's been an amazing journey as God has opened my eyes to His truths. I can attest firsthand how being in God's Word daily can change your life and your relationship with God. I now hunger to be in God's Word daily. I do miss days here and there, and often I struggle to get through those days.

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