"Blessed is the man who...delights in the law of the LORD and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water." Psalms 1:1-3
Where Are You Planted?
Do you recognize this tree? Some of you might because it sits on the opposite shore of Lake Gloria across from camp. It is the tree with the rope that the adventure trippers use to swing into the lake. It is a huge oak tree. Its trunk is so wide that two people cannot wrap their arms around it. This tree often comes to mind when I'm thinking about growth. Our hope is that as you left camp you have had an even stronger desire to grow in your faith. How have you been doing? Are you growing? Are you backsliding?
Are you a tree planted by the streams of God's law (Scripture)? There are certainly many things essential to spiritual growth, top on the list, according to Psalm 1, is enjoying God's Word. Have you tasted the goodness and the sweetness of His Word? You might ask, "what does it look like to experience this goodness?"
The Delights of God's Word
Let me share a recent example from my own experience. For some time now I have been in the habit of taking a brief moment, before I open God's Word for a devotional time, to write down a couple of statements that reflect the attitude of my heart. Some days I write about being excited to jump into the day. Some days I write a lot of things I'm thankful for or reasons to give God praise, other days I'm struggling with a sin, and still other days I'm confused, frustrated, hurting, etc. After writing this down I pray for God to meet me, and through His Word to set might heart right. In
My Utmost for His Highest the devotional booklet we hand out at closing ceremonies, Oswald Chambers writes, "At all costs [we] must be rightly related to God" (September 1st entry). What joy, contentment, and sweetness come from being rightly related to our Lord.
Sweet Deliverance
Have you ever had days filled with worry. Well, that was my day yesterday. My restless heart was so anxious, so filled with worry that I struggled to think of anything other than that for which I was worrying. Ironically, I had just read that morning from Psalm 37, which says, "Do not be anxious; it tends only to evil." Needless to say, my heart was out of whack, and I knew it. Sadly, as I'm prone to do, I trudged through the day without truly addressing it. This morning as I woke up I knew my heart needed to be set right, and thank God for His Word. I read the next Psalm, number 38. Wow!! Talk about "needing to hear that". The Psalm begins, "O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath." I prayed this very thing. Then I prayed verse 4, "For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me." True again. I concluded by praying with the Psalmist (v. 21-22), "Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation." These verses have been my meditation today, they have been my delight. They have been so helpful to my soul. In other words, they tasted really good, like a cool glass of water on a hot day. God's Word will be like fresh water to your soul also, as you delight to make a daily habit of spending time enjoying it.
