Matters of Faith: AN APPETITE FOR THE WORD!

By Rev. J. Loren Russell, BA, MDiv.

Psalms 119:103 (NKJV)

“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Webster’s Dictionary defines appetite as “a physical desire for food: a desire or liking for something.” There are times when we have an appetite but no food, and times we have food but no appetite. Imagine what it would be like if we had an appetite for God’s word, but no access to a Holy Bible, or if we had a Holy Bible but no appetite for His Word. When you have an appetite and access to that which you desire, the acquisition or the consumption of the delicacy is like honey in your mouth.

When the writer of this psalm completed his work, he had written 176 verses, the lengthiest chapter of any book in the entire Holy Bible. This psalm, as Matthew Henry Commentary points out, was written “to magnify the law, and make it honorable; to set forth the excellency and usefulness of divine revelation, and to recommend it to us, not only for the entertainment, but for the government, of ourselves, by the psalmist’s own example.”

So, the intent of the writer is to give his readers divine guidance to daily living. He talks about the pleasure that accompanies a genuine search and acquisition of the glorious revelation of the Lord’s precepts. He says that the Word of God becomes a sweet taste in our mouths, more satisfying than honey from a honeycomb. It’s not just sweet, its satisfying. Jesus affirms this when He said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matthew 5:6).

In order to have an appetite for anything, you have to first know what it tastes like. It may be just one verse, a few verses, or an entire book, but if you take a bite every day, you’ll develop a taste for it. I read somewhere that “a well-read Bible is a sign of a well-fed soul.” I believe that! In Psalm 34:8, we are encouraged to dine on the Word; “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” Once you’ve gotten a taste, you’ll begin to see just how good the Word is for you. It is daily sustenance for your soul, something to chew on as you go through your day. You’ll develop an appetite for its sweetness. You just might develop a sweet tooth.

If you cultivate your appetite for the Word of God you’ll find that it gratifies your hunger, feeds your soul, all while it is working to meet your every need according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19). The Word of God will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but it can transform you if you allow its wisdom to permeate your life.

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio (internet), Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen here or by phone at 626-226-1448. Be sure to friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. You can also use the email or call (718)328-8096 to order Matters of Faith: The Book.

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