The Lovey Letters: When Pecking at God's Word Can Be a Good Thing
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How are you doing, Loveys?
We’ve been separated from each other for 3-4 weeks now, I think. The days and weeks have flown by as Jack and I work at preparing ways for us to “gather together.” I miss you! My mind is busy trying to figure out how I can “spend time with you” or bless you in some way. Hence, the lovey letters. It’s my quarantine effort at “having a chat and enjoying a coffee” with you.
So, really, lovey, how are you doing?
I’ve been trying to think of things that will strengthen you the most spiritually, because if you are doing well spiritually, everything else will fall in line. The best thing I can do for you is to point you back to the Scriptures. God tells us that His Word is the means of change, strength, and hope for daily living, which means we need to make sure we are spending time with the Lord, not only reading, but studying, thinking on, and praying over the Scriptures for the most spiritual profit.
After the initial quarantine flurry of housecleaning, purging, and baking, it seems we’ve all settled into a routine of sorts. It appears that two different groups are showing up in the chicken coops. Some of you are casting about, trying to find something new to do or some other way to entertain the troops and quell mutiny in the ranks. Others of you are busier than ever. You feel a bit like the proverbial chicken with her head cut off running this way and that. (Did you know that’s a real thing?) Whether you are in one camp or the other, attending to your highest priority will keep you living well for the glory of the Lord in your particular coop, which is why I want to encourage you to keep pecking away at time with the Lord in His Word.
Now you might think that pecking at God’s Word sounds a bit flighty, but if we’re going to stick with our chicken coop theme, then it’s helpful to know that chickens are actually quite persistent, passionate, purposeful, and personally committed in their search for food. May we be equally so in searching for the all-sustaining Word “that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Peck Away at God’s Word Persistently
In Hosea 6:3, the prophet Hosea calls us to “press on to know the LORD.” We all need to apply a healthy dose of perseverance when it comes to spending time with the Lord each day. It’s not always easy to find the time or maintain the time, but as Paul points out to Timothy, constantly nourishing ourselves on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine is the key to growing in godliness (1 Timothy 4:6-7).
Peck Away at God’s Word Passionately
Job declared that it had been the habit of his lifetime to treasure God’s Word. “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:12). Job understood the principle that Paul later explained this way: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Knowing the great value of the Word of God produces in us a holy and unswerving passion to know it better (2 Timothy 3:17).
Peck Away at God’s Word Personally
Colossians 3:16 urges us to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” No one else can do this for you. You must let the Word of God dwell in you richly, abundantly, lavishly. Ask the Lord to give you a fervent desire for His Word, so that you become a walking, talking billboard for 1 Peter 2:2 where you, like a newborn baby, “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
Peck Away at God’s Word Purposefully
Paul praised the Thessalonians for their response to the Scriptures. He said, “We also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).” Loveys, we must persistently, passionately, personally, and purposely pursue spending time with the Lord because it is the Word of God that transforms us. The power for a steadfast, vibrant faith lies in the living, active, heart-searching Scriptures (Hebrews 4:12). Proverbs 16:20 tells us that “he who gives attention to the Word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Do you want your life filled up to all the fulness of God? Then give attention to the Word of God and you will find it to be so.
Oh loveys, prize God’s Word as treasure above all things, “take pains with these things; be absorbed in them (1 Timothy 4:15). As you do so, your progress will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:15) and nothing, not even life in the chicken coop, will cause you to stumble (Psalm 119:165).
In the grace of the Lord Jesus,
Lisa
