Loving the Word

Have you ever hunted for something a long time before finding it? Did you rejoice and appreciate what you found? God impressed this upon me during my month at the beach last fall. Here’s how He spoke.

Shells were few on the Gulf Coast shore last year. Since this is my favorite thing to do at the beach, I continued to hunt and hope. Thinking a beautiful shell would be in the very next wave. Even though I came away almost empty each time, I continued to look.

Isn’t that how it is sometimes when we read God’s Word? During some seasons we just seem to come up empty, but if we love His word we will continue to read and search for those truths that we desperately need in our lives. Then He reveals something to us that is so timely and just what we needed to hear.

When I finally find a shell, I almost jump up and down for joy!  It makes me want to keep searching for another.

How much more should we celebrate those truths that speak directly into our hearts, especially in a dry season. It’s like finding that pearl of great price!

Jesus taught about the value of the Kingdom in Matthew 13: 44-46 when He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.”

It’s worth the hunt to find the pearl. It is also worth the hunt to find the truth  in the Word as we read until He speaks. We don’t give up. We dig for ourselves, we hunt for the truth. Then when we find a nugget that touches our heart, we rejoice and tell others. There is such value in loving God’s Word.

I’ve repeated often Beth Moore’s words I heard her share years ago. When asked how she came to love the Word so much, she said she prayed for it. And she said, “If you want to love the Word, pray for it too!”

God will honor that prayer. If you don’t “feel” it, keep doing it until you do. You will not regret the time spent searching the Bible for His truths. Valentine’s Day is almost here…let your love for God and His Word supersede any other love.

Banner photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash