
Have you ever considered that it is only due to God, our Lord, our Creator, and our Sustainer that we live? It is due to Him that we are able to seek Him, and that we are able to have faith, or appreciate His Word. Verses 17-18 read,
“Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.”
We can ask the Lord to deal bountifully, abundantly and generously with us. And we know that He loves to be generous with us. We can trust Him to give to us. He loves to give us good gifts for our edification, the edification of the church and the building of the Kingdom of God. James 1:5-7 reads,
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”
Luke 11:5-13 says,
“And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
He gives us understanding, wisdom, and revelation. He opens our eyes to the Mystery of the Gospel. (Ephesians 3:1-6). And He does it so eagerly! We only have to ask and God reveals Himself and His Word. My personal experience tells me that He wants us to know Him and the more we know Him the more we want to know Him, the more we delight in His Word, His will, and His law. Verses 19-20 read,
“I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.”
We are not of this world. We are sojourners, this is our temporary home, our real home is in Heaven. And so we walk wanting to know more of God all the time. His commandments, His word, and His will are important to us when we follow Christ. We set our minds on what is above. The desires of the flesh, the things important to the world are not important to us anymore. We are citizens of Heaven, not American, British, Latino, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, or Pentecostal. (Colossians 3:1-11). We are weird! It is not natural to love the Bible, to long for the will of The Father, follow Jesus, and seek the council of The Holy Spirit. Verses 21-23 read,
“You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.”
God takes our longing to know Him and rewards it by giving us what we ask for. And for those who reject Him and refuse and even insult His Word, He rewards them by remaining hidden from them. Even as followers of Christ we can occasionally not want to read the Bible, pray, or listen to Him. Our flesh can sometimes take over and suppress the Spirit. We’ve got to stay aware of our attitudes and stay on track. (Psalm 139:23-24). And we can only do that with God. While the world rails against us, our desire for God gives us peace. While the world makes their plans and struggles, we take it all to The Lord and He gives us perception and peace. Philippians 4:4-9 reminds us,
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Believer, I hope you know the real joy of reading and meditating on The Word. God has given you the awesome gift of finding Him. You cannot get to know God without reading the Bible. You cannot know God’s will without reading His Word. Verse 24 reads,
“Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.”