A Taste of Honey
Opening Prayer
Lord, You satisfy my soul. You are my delight and You fill me with joy beyond anything the world has to offer.
Read Psalm 119:97-112
[97]מ Mem Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. [98] Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. [99] I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. [100] I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. [101] I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. [102] I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. [103] How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104] I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. [105]נ Nun Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. [106] I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. [107] I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word. [108] Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. [109] Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. [110] The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. [111] Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. [112] My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what do you find your greatest pleasure?God’s Word often likens itself to various culinary experiences. For example, it is like milk (Heb. 5:12), bread (Deut. 8:3), and honey (Psa. 119:103; 19:10). Regular feeding on Scripture was never meant to be purely mechanical. The psalmist tells us that these words are sweet to his palate, sweeter than the sweetest honey (103). It’s not the way we usually talk about the Bible! All too often I have promoted the Bible as a healthy muesli or wholesome casserole–something rather bland and solid rather than a sweet, tangy, zesty treat.Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure, has traditionally (and rightly) been disapproved of by Christians. But there is a pleasure that comes from seeking God’s will, which is what the psalmist here seems to be advocating. He gains joy from spending time hearing God’s voice and meditating on his Word (97,111). It keeps him on the right track (101), aligns him with God’s will, and brings him happiness. What more could he want?
Apply
Read Psalm 19 out loud and then use your own words, expanding on it. You will give God pleasure and find it yourself.
Closing prayer
Lord, it is the deep pleasure of my heart to live in Your will. You are all my heart desires.
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