Delight in God’s word:
There is something special about enjoying what God says in his word. There are many purposes why people read God’s word. Reading God’s word provides the believers with spiritual nourishment (1Pt 2:2), growth in faith (Ro 10:17), instructions for daily living, and a connection with God. God’s word provides us with an internal satisfaction like no other read (Ps 16:11). When we read the word of God for enjoyment, we can become addicted to it, and as the Psalmist said, meditate on it day and night. Addicted to God’s word, we learn to avoid unhealthy relationships and paths. God’s word shines light on the negative ways of life and provides a clear way of escape from its detrimental effects.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
When we enjoy meditating on God’s word, its effects are the same as those of a tree that is planted by the rivers of water. The phrase “tree planted by the rivers of water” refers to Qal, meaning replantation. To help save the environment, environmentalists rescue trees from devastated areas caused by fires or natural disasters and replant them. The mature trees that were replanted offer instant benefits to the ecosystem, such as Carbon sequestration, taking in more carbon and releasing oxygen. They host a variety of other wildlife forms. The replanted trees planted in greenery land are highly beneficial to their surrounding ecosystem. But imagine the benefits of a tree that is replanted near rivers of water, whose fruit would be constant and on time. Leaves are a sign of the fruit to come, but if the fruit does not come, then the leaves will wither. The leaves without the fruit cannot survive. Fruits are a sign of prosperity.
Jesus said that the way God the Father is glorified is when we bear much fruit (Jh 15:8). There are two levels for the believer to bear fruit in their lives in a given season: the first is fruitfulness in life, and the other is fruit in the spirit (Ga 5:22-23). Now, each one of us has been designated a time during which we bear fruit. We are expected to bear fruit when we have been replanted. The consequences for not bearing fruit when we are planted near a river of water are seen in Matthew 7:19, where Jesus said that they will be cut down.
1 Peter 2:2
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Psalms 16:11
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
John 15:8
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Matthew 7:19
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.