(Day 16) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

Psalm 1

The Word of God is heavenly wisdom for us to live by here on earth. The Bible is a compilation of writings of historical accounts, poetry, stories, prophecies, personal letters, and teachings that God has inspired. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God's Word benefits the one that studies it, meditates on it, and applies it. The Word is meant to be absorbed, believed and manifested in our lives.

We should see the Word of God as being the necessary food and fuel that feeds our faith and transforms us into the people that He is calling us to be. Literally, you are what you eat; which we know is a saying to encourage healthy eating habits. Even more so, we should prioritize the necessity of consuming the Word of God daily to be strong in the service of our Lord. Jesus said that Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (St. Matthew 4:4). Like a mother bird drops food into the open mouths of her young, God wants to deposit His Word into those that are hungry for Him: as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby - (1 Peter 2:2).

This special time of seeking God is all about growing and maturing in the things of God. Our life in Christ presents many challenges and choices. We've won some battles and lost some as well. But God hasn't thrown us away when we fall. In His love and grace He patiently works on us through the instrumentation of His Word. Through His Word He makes a surgical incision into our hearts to extract the sickness of sin and those things that are harmful to our spirit. For the Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God's Word is a living word that ministers life to the heart that surrenders to it.

God uses His Word to change our very nature. Our thoughts, desires, beliefs, and way of living is transformed as we yield to the counsel of the Word of the Lord. The apostle Paul writes, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Our transformation is ongoing and continuous as we purposefully pursue God in His Word. When we search through the scriptures to find help from God, when we're in need of a Word that will give us peace and cause us to hope again; God will speak to us through a still, small voice that will water our parched places with rivers of refreshing. For it's often the gentle whisper of a verse that brings us peace and calm when we're in the midst of a storm.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2) There is a blessedness that we experience when our daily delight is in meditating on the laws of God. Throughout the course of the day we joyfully remind ourselves of what God's Word instructs and promises. Our hearts are reassured and fortified against the spirit of fear and confusion that is pervasive in these last days. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (Psalm 1:3). Here are some benefits of delighting and meditating in God's law:

1. he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water - rooted in fertile soul

2. that bringeth forth his fruit in his season - the promise of increase and productive seasons

3. his leaf also shall not wither - a lasting impact that won't fade away

4. whatsoever he doeth shall prosper - favor, increase, success

As we push closer and closer to Christ, let us embrace even tighter the Word of God. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8). God's Word that we are to meditate on day and night will make us prosperous and successful when we do according to all that is written therein; because we must be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves (James 1:22). The diligent observance of God's Word produces in us the performance of it.

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves