“Every living thing which God creates requires food. The life that God imparts needs sustaining and nourishing. It is so with animal and vegetable life,–with birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, insects, and plants. It is equally so with spiritual life. When the Holy Ghost raises a man from the death of sin and makes him a new creature in Christ Jesus, the new principle in that man’s heart requires food, and the only food which will sustain it is the Word of God….

Love to the Word is one of the characteristics we see in Job. Little as we know of this Patriarch and his age, this at least stands out clearly He says, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food ‘” (Job 23:12).

Love to the Word is a shining feature in the character of David. Mark how it appears all through that wonderful part of Scripture, the 119th Psalm. He might well say, “Oh, how love I thy law!” (Ps. 119:97).

Love to the Word is a striking point in the character of St. Paul. What were he and his companions but men “mighty in the Scriptures?” What were his sermons but expositions and applications of the Word?

Love to the Word appears pre-eminently in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He read it publicly. He quoted it continually. He expounded it frequently He advised the Jews to “search” it. He used it as His weapon to resist the devil. He said repeatedly, “The Scripture must be fulfilled.”–Almost the last thing He did was to open the understanding of His disciples, “that they might understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45). I am afraid that man can be no true servant of Christ, who has not something of his Master’s mind and feeling towards the Bible.”

This was the great theme of the apostle’s preaching, and he had proved that it was the power of God unto salvation to every one who believed. Christ and Him crucified should be the main theme of the servants of God still; for human nature is the same, the need of sinful men is the same—and “there is no other name, under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

“The old, old story” is ever new, and ever fresh, when it is told and heard under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is . . .
the great manifestation of the love of God;
the sure foundation of a sinner’s hope;
a never-failing spring of joy to the believer;
and the song, ever new, of the redeemed in glory.

My soul, let Jesus Christ and Him crucified be the theme of your daily meditation.
Dwell upon the glory of His person, and His redeeming love. Think of all He did and suffered on your account.
Rejoice in His finished work.
Glory only in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom you are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified unto you.

“Here it is I find my Heaven,
While upon the cross I gaze.
Love I much? I’ve much forgiven;
I’m a miracle of grace!”  

HEADED HOME

“By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

The Bible frequently pictures the Christian as a pilgrim, traveling through a strange land and over tough terrain, enroute to his heavenly home.

During the course of his journey he experiences many different things. His path will often be rough and steep. He will face rapid streams and raging storms—difficulties that require great care, courage, and strength. He will need patience to be sure, for the journey will push him to his limits.

So, where do we find the strength to—

–climb the next high hill

–ford the next raging river

–cross the next barren desert

–traverse the next slippery slope

–endure the chill of another winter night

–bear up under the scorching heat of the summer sun.

There seems to be so much against us! After a while we even forget about the pleasures we’ve enjoyed along the way—

–the lush green pastures

–the still cool water

–the gentle breeze

–the beautiful sunset

–the sounds of nature

Sometimes we get to the place where all we think about are the dilliculties, rather than the delights. We focus on the pain, rather than the pleasure. Then life becomes a burden rather than a blessing.

So how do we keep going? We do so by—

–keeping our eye upon the prize. We will be home at last and all will be well.

–focusing on our Guide, knowing that He never leads us astray.

–remembering the exceeding great and precious promises of our Heavenly Father, who cannot lie.

–believing that heaven will be worth it all!

                                                                          —David Stone 8/2/2007