Loving God's Word the Deuteronomy Wayಮಾದರಿ

See it: Setting Truth Before Your Eyes

In spring, my daughters love to pick wildflowers. They collect goldenrod, Indian paintbrush, wild violets, and ferns, carefully pressing each petal between crinkly newspapers and stacks of my heavy theology books. Within a few days, the dried blossoms are ready to be preserved in their flower journal: a simple, brown spiral notebook protecting each flower with an abundance of clear, packing tape.

Their book of pressed leaves and flowers reminds us of seasons past and seasons to come, but we know that their little field guide, even having been carefully preserved, won’t always last. Just like the wildflowers dried out and the leaves fell from the trees, it will get ruined or lost one day. But we have access to one field guide that will last through every season: God’s Word!

God’s Word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven (Ps. 119:89). It is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is living and effective, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). The Bible isn’t just a bunch of old stories about a God who was, but it preserves the truth about our God who is—right now!

Long ago, this same God told His people to put His commands between their eyes and to write them on the doorposts of their houses and gates (Deuteronomy 6:8-9). That might sound a little extreme, but it shows how prone God’s people are to forgetfulness and how much we need ready reminders of truth. Like the Israelites, we can place God’s Word where we can see it easily so that we will remember to reach for it whenever we can. Because it is God’s Word, we carefully study and collect its truths, so that they might be forever pressed and preserved in our hearts.

Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to preserve you and keep you by His Word forever.