JUN 21

Proverbs 1:7
Memorise 1 Thessalonians 5:20
“… O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”

God’s Word is central in the believer’s life. This goes beyond just knowledge. The effect that God’s Word has on a believer is spiritual in nature. It is not like any other book of literature. It is not just knowledge or emotional excitement, God’s Word transforms the very soul of the believer, his spiritual being. The Psalmist in Psalm 119 describes how God’s Word is a delight, a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path. It is his meditation all the day! Then why is there a need in 1 Thess 5:20 to instruct believers not to despise prophesying? The word “prophesying” refers to the proclaiming of God’s Word in general and not just the foretelling of future events. It includes both the written Word of God, and also the faithful preaching of it. How then can believers even be tempted to despise God’s Word? It is of course possible or else there would not have been the need for such a commandment. The believer can fall so far that God’s Word no longer holds its savour and may even become distasteful. How does that happen? How does the believer grow to despise the very milk and meat that his soul needs for nourishment? The answer is simple. Sin. When a believer has fallen into sin, the Holy Spirit no longer works in the believer and the believer begins to lose the grace to love and understand God’s Word. Unrepented sin will fester in the heart of a believer. Sin is destructive. If the believer will not return from sin and turn to God in humble repentance, it will not be long before God’s Word becomes something that is despised.

Another avenue where God’s Word becomes despised is in false teaching. There are those from churches that do not teach God’s Word faithfully. When such believers hear the Word of God preached correctly and faithfully, some may reject it. The excuse is it is too strict, too extreme or even “fanatical” no matter how biblical it actually is. Hard commandments and doctrines require too much sacrifice and obedience. Some are put off when they have to correct so many areas of their life when they hear God’s Word taught in its whole counsel. This is not the fault of the preacher. It is always the evil heart of man who seeks God only on his own terms. If following God seems too hard, they are more ready to give up the walk and despise God’s Word. For us as believers, God’s Word must always be a delight and joy to our hearts, our greatest love. What a tragedy it would be, if we were to despise the words of eternal life!

Thought: Have I ever despised God’s Word?
Prayer: Father, never take the love of Your Word from my heart.