“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night,” (Psalm 1:2 ESV)

I want to begin with two simple questions for you to ponder as you read:

              -How often do you read God’s Word?

              -What motivates you to read God’s Word?

During a recent Sunday School Class my God-fearing Father-in-law presented the class with a simple yet pause-worthy question, “Is reading your Bible a duty or a delight?”

The biblical text being studied was Psalm 1.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is 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 that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish,” (Psalm 1:1-6 ESV).

Psalm 1 is setting the tone for the remainder of the Book. Psalm 1 should be a Psalm of reflection for the reader. Are we the man (or woman) that is blessed? The contrast is stark and undeniable. There is no gray position in this Psalm. We are either abstaining from walking, standing, or sitting among the wicked, sinners, and scoffers and we are wholly delighted in the law of the LORD. Or we are not. Black and white. No gray areas.

If you really think about it—we are always taking delight in something.

The reflection that comes with this Psalm forces us to ask the question: Is my delight in the law of the LORD and the things that glorify and honor my Lord? OR is my delight in my sins and the things that gratify my flesh? Black and white. No gray areas.

The psalmist goes on to describe the blessed person as a tree that was planted by streams of water. This tree yields fruit, withstands withering, and experiences prosperity. (Psalm 1:3)

If we are in Christ, we’ve been planted spiritually by our wonderful God. We must consider daily if we are bearing fruit that reflects this planting? We must realize the fruit we bear and the spiritual growth or success we experience, all by the gift of the Holy Spirit, is for others and for the glory of the Lord.

Standing in contrast to the description of the blessed as a tree—planted, and yielding fruit—is the one who is like chaff—the one who rejects God’s covenant. Chaff is wind-driven and of no practical use or benefit to anyone.

We cannot be described as the blessed in this Psalm if we are not reading God’s Word.

How often do you read God’s Word?

A quick Google search confirms this is a topic worth visiting among Christians. Studies from Lifeway research and the Barna Group show that about 31% to 50% of Christians read the Bible weekly or daily. That leaves approximately 50% to 69% of Christians who are not daily or weekly reading, let alone, delighting in God’s Word.

Reading our Bibles is not a religious duty to be checked off a list, or even a daily requirement for salvation. But it is spiritual nourishment (Matthew 4:4). It is life (John 1:1, 4).

To take it a step further—if we are a part of the 31% to 50% who are regularly engaged in God’s Word, what is our overall motivation behind this spiritual discipline?

Duty or delight?

Let’s refocus on verse 2, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” This is the blessed man.

The top description of the blessed is the one who takes delight in the law of the LORD. This delight is so deep that he focuses his whole attention on it through the days and nights. To focus deeply on something requires planning and probably some sacrificing.

Do you delight in reading God’s Word?

Or is it a mere duty on a Christian to do list?

If we’re honest, sometimes it can be both. We can have seasons of deep devotion to the Lord and other seasons when the struggles of life overwhelm. When that happens, we may find ourselves just going through the motions for a short while. But I believe our Lord is so kind and faithful that when deep devotion feels difficult, but we remain faithful in the Christian discipline of reading our Bible, the Lord will kindly and graciously draw our affections back to Him.

But the overall pattern of the Christian should be one of not only regularly reading God’s Word, but taking true delight in His Word.

What motivates you to read God’s Word?

My husband’s work takes him out of town for days at a time. I miss him. I desire his company. I want to hear his voice. I would be devastated to go the day without talking to him, let alone the week.

Why?

Because I am devoted to him. He is devoted to me. We are best friends. We’ve entered a covenant with one another. We love each other deeply. We take delight in one another’s company. When he calls, I do not begrudgingly answer my phone and then check off my list, -talked to Brad. That would be absurd. It is a delight not a duty. Because of our love and commitment to one another, I am motivated to talk to him and spend time with him every chance I get.

We do not go days, weeks, months, or years without talking to someone we truly love and are devoted to daily life with. Raw honesty—As a Believer—it should be unacceptable to go weeks, months, or years without reading and deeply studying God’s Word. The affection, devotion, and delight I have for my wonderful husband should pale in comparison to my affection, devotion, and delight I have for the Lord and what He has to say to me through His Word.

Our motivation to read God’s Word should be rooted in the Gospel, and the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our hearts should desire to grow in holiness as we are joyfully and willingly obedient in the Christian discipline of reading the Bible. We should aim to seek God, know God, love God, and to trust God more, and more with every intake of scripture.

When our motivation is right, then delight follows.

I want to end with the words of Jesus as He confirmed to His disciples and to us what is the greatest and first commandment, “…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment,” (Matthew 22:37-38 ESV).

When our hearts are oriented to pursue the greatest and first commandment, then we will find ourselves committed to and delighting in God’s Holy Word.

I Trust my God, I Trust my God, I Trust my God

Ardently His,

Jess Dennis

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