That was September 1991, roughly two weeks after an attempted coup in the USSR. Bible distribution in the Soviet Union had been limited and closely monitored for nearly a century. Only a relative few enjoyed the privilege of owning a Bible. But many more hungered for God’s Word.
Do you long for God’s Word like that? If you didn’t have a Bible would you stand in a line for hours to own one?
Whether or not we acknowledge the source of our hunger, we humans long to connect with our Creator, to intimately know the God of the universe. God satisfies this spiritual hunger of our souls through His inspired Word. He reveals Himself, His character, and His ways in the Bible.
We can develop an insatiable appetite for Scripture. God Himself will foster this hunger if we step out in obedience to pursue it. As we begin to take in God’s Word the more we will experience its power. The more we experience its power the more we will want to savor God’s Word again and again.
When we limit our intake of God’s Word, our desire for it diminishes. To develop an insatiable hunger for Scripture we must feast on it regularly. At first, this may mean more discipline than desire. But if we faithfully pursue a daily time in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will bless our obedience with a passion for Scripture. Soon our discipline will give way to desire.
My love affair with chocolate helps me understand this phenomenon. The more I indulge in its dark, creamy sweetness, the more of it I want. But the opposite is also true. The more I deprive myself of enjoying this special treat, the less I think about it.
These three steps will get us started in the right direction on an ongoing journey to deepen our desire for feasting on God’s Word and experiencing the glorious benefits.
1. Make a Commitment – Yes, sticking to a commitment to be in the Bible daily will be hard, especially at first. It requires discipline and sacrifice. You may have to adjust your schedule or give up something, but the benefits are eternally great.
2. Develop a Plan – A haphazard approach to Bible intake will yield haphazard results. Time in the Bible must be planned and purposeful. Choose a reading plan that will be challenging but not overwhelming. If you don’t already read your Bible several times a week, don’t try to tackle the “Read the Whole Bible in a Year” plan. Evaluate where you are now and select a plan that is a step beyond that.
3. Savor & Soak – We must slow down our intake of Scripture so its truths can penetrate the hard crust of our hearts. “Slow” does not mean “less frequently.” Slow refers to our approach. Instead of continuing our often fast-paced, surface reading of God’s Word, we must take the time to seriously contemplate what God is saying to us through His Word. In addition to simply reading God’s Word, we can also meditate on it, allow it to prompt prayer, pray it back to God, and memorize it.
Do you long to long for God’s Word? Give God the opportunity to create that hunger in you. Make a commitment. Develop a plan. Savor and Soak!
God Bless you
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