My very favorite time to receive mail is Christmastime. I love receiving cards from my friends and family, especially cards with pictures of their cute kids! I read every card slowly and carefully, and then I place them where I can see them so I can look back at the cards often. I can hardly wait to open a piece of mail I receive from friends and family members. I want to know what they have to say to me. But, as eager as I am to open mail from the people I love, I must admit that I am not always as eager to open my Bible. Maybe you can relate. This is something we must fight against. We must fight to approach reading Scripture with even more eagerness than we approach reading letters from the people we love the most.
I love the way David describes the Bible and its teachings in Psalm 19. "The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair," David writes (verse 9). But, he does not stop there. "They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb" (verse 10). To David, the Bible and its teachings were better than the "finest gold" and the sweetest honey. This means that he relished in Scripture. He delighted in it. He studied it. He cherished it. He knew that it was God's instruction to him, and as a result, he cherished it like any person would cherish a letter from someone they love.
The Bible is the Word of God recorded on paper for you. It is a love letter from God to you, teaching you about the great lengths God went to in order to win your heart and save you. When you read it like a cherished letter from someone you love, you read it with care, consideration, excitement, and anticipation. This is how we are to approach Scripture. When we approach Scripture as a letter written directly to us from the One who loves us more than anything or anyone in this world, it changes everything.
Before you read the verses from the Going Deeper section below, take a few moments to remember what it is like to get a letter, card, or even text message from someone you love. As you think about your enthusiasm to read a note from a loved one, remember to carry that same enthusiasm with you as you open your Bible and read the verses from the Going Deeper section.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
