We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We are to love the Word of God and seek to grow in our knowledge of it daily. We should long for the Word of God so much that the longing can feel like a crushing pressure on us. It is something we have to do! No, it is something we MUST do! We MUST read, study, and apply God’s Word in all areas of our lives!
Word Study
Soul – the life, self, person, heart, mind, and being.
Crushed – to break, to crush, to drive out, to expel.
Longing – desire, craving, longing.
Times – seasons, a season of time, period of time.
The Hebrew word translated as “longing” was primarily used to describe the Israelites going after foreign gods or false idols. It described how they sinfully longed for them. Here the word is used to contrast how the child of God acts. They long for God and long for His Word. This is not done sinfully but righteously. Also, the word translated as “time” is not to be viewed as literally every second that passes. What is in view here is that the person longs for God’s Word in all seasons of life. They do not neglect it.
Applying This Daily Bite
- Do you long for God’s Word in all seasons of your life?
- Is your desire for God’s Word so great that it breaks you from desiring anything else more than it?
- Is your entire life filled with a desire to know God and His Word better?
Praying This Daily Bite
Lord, I desire Your Word. I want all areas of my life to be brought into conformity with Your Word. I want to long for Your Word in all seasons of my life. Forgive me when I have neglected Your Holy Scripture.
