According to the above text, one who delights in the law of the Lord is "blessed." It is his primary focus. He meditates on it day and night. It is a source of refreshment and life to him. He becomes as a tree that is planted by a river because the word of God makes his life fruitful and productive.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes him as a person who will "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). He considers receiving and giving instruction in God's word as one of his greatest blessings. Learning and/or teaching the law of God is an activity he eagerly anticipates and thoroughly enjoys. Therefore, he values those times when his fellow-saints assemble for study and worship -- knowing he will be with people who, like him, respect and adore the word of God.

Nehemiah 8:1-8 Is An Example of Proper Attitude Toward the Word of God
After their return from Babylonian captivity, the people of Judah set about to restore worship to God in Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 8, they asked Ezra the scribe to read the law of God to them. He assembled all the people, opened the book of the law before them, and then read distinctly from it to make sure the assembled crowd understood its message. The people, when beckoned, willingly assembled. They stood when the book of the law was opened -- a show of reverence. Standing from daybreak to midday, they praised God for His word and then fell on their faces worshiping Him.

Whether proclaiming the word or receiving instruction from it, we should have the same willingness to assemble, the same reverence and respect, and the same praise for our God.

Acts 10:33 Is Another Example
Having summoned Peter to preach the message of God to him and his family, Cornelius told him of their willingness to hear him preach the gospel of Christ. Cornelius' attitude --- a model for all -- caused him to:

· Send for one knowledgeable in God's word.

· Assemble his family to hear what Peter would proclaim.

· Realize that God was present and that everything was being said and done before Him.

· Be ready to hear all things God had commanded.

What We Must Be and Do
If we are going to have the proper attitude toward the word of God, therefore, we must:

· Have good and honest hearts (Luke 8:15).

· Allow the word of God to "prick" our hearts (Acts 2:37).

· Gladly receive the word (Acts 2:40).

· Be discerning hearers (Acts 17:11).

· Be eager hearers (Matthew 5:6; Acts 10:33).

· Desire to hear and know all of the word (Acts 10:33).

· Desire only the word of God (Matthew 15:9).

What is your attitude toward the word of God? What should it be? Make sure it is what the Lord would have it to be.

- by Gene Taylor

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