The story of Job amazes in so many ways. Faced with great affliction, he knew what was most valuable. And according Job 23:12, one thing Job did not compromise is the value of God's word: "I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food."
Psalm 119:11 tells us something similar: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Imagine being so hungry and devoted to God's Word that you value it more than food and store it in your heart - not on your shelf, not in your living room, but in your heart.
Our consumption of the Bible is primary to our faith, but for reasons that go beyond "God wrote it." God's Word adds value to our life, causes change, brings blessing and assures success. Here are five signs that you treasure God's laws.
You grow in spiritual disciplines
Acts 2:42 tells us how the early church valued God's Word: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Prayer and Bible-reading are the basic make up of spiritual disciplines. To grow in them is to affirm that we indeed value God's Word.
You challenge yourself to go beyond the limit
Some spiritual disciplines, God never requires explicitly such as lifting of hands, communion, fasting and water baptism. But when we are truly engrossed in the goodness of God and motivated by the hunger for more of Him, we will go beyond the minimum requirement and jump into any means possible to receive more of Christ.
You walk by grace, not works
To know God's Word is to know that we cannot earn God's favor and grace. When we don't know who God is, which we best find out through God's Word, we will try to earn His love and favor. But to walk in God's Word valuing it will lead us to walk by grace and live by grace, not good works.
You walk the talk
James 1:22 says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." To treasure God's Word drives us to go beyond just reading and knowing it, but actually compels us to believe it enough to walk in it knowing that God's Word works. Passion for God will always lead us to action, compelling us to live lives the way He would have us.
You share it with others
God's Word will always bring an overflow of His goodness and presence, and that overflow will naturally fall upon others around us. A life that lives by and in the word will trickle down to others through evangelism, discipleship and encouragement. Matthew 5:16 tells us, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
