Day 11: GREATER MEDITATION
Psalm 1
I like to chew my food. If it is something really good, like a nice juicy steak, I let my tongue and mouth take in all the flavor before I finally swallow. My dog, on the other hand, has no appreciation for fine food. Just last week, he hopped up on the counter and stole an entire chicken breast, eating the whole thing in 2 bites. Needless to say, a few hours later I found the chicken on the living room floor, still in just two pieces. His body could not digest such a large piece of food.
Jesus, when tempted by Satan in the desert to turn rocks into bread, responds by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The Word of God is the bread upon which believers must feast. Psalm 1 teaches us that we should delight in the law of God and meditate on it day and night. To enjoy God’s Word, we must savor it, chewing before we swallow. When we go to the Word, we must fight against the temptation to bite off portions bigger than we can handle, and understand what it says before we begin to use it.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times that my meditation on Your Word is less than sufficient. Help me to set apart time daily to read and reflect upon Your words. Take me deeper in understanding Your law, and open my heart to the things that You want to communicate to me. In Jesus' name. Amen.