A Hunger for the Word

Psalm 119:9-16 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Text I Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

The natural response of an infant is to crave nourishment. That which is true for those who have experienced a physical birth is equally true of those who have experienced a spiritual birth; one craves physical food, the other craves spiritual food! As a child of God, you should have a natural hunger and thirst for the Word of God. In Psalm 119:9-16, David uses the phrase “thy word” three times. David’s response to God’s Word illustrates his hunger and thirst for it. In verse 9, we see hunger in heeding the Word, “by taking heed.” Like a hedge of thorns, David encircles his life with the Word of God. Like a sentry that serves as  a line of defense, so the Word of God serves as a guard to keep out unwanted thoughts and temptations that would defile the heart and mind. In verse 10, we see hunger in hiding the Word, “hid in my heart.” As a sought after treasure, the Word of God is hoarded up within David’s heart for safe keeping. Speaking of this precious treasure, Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). In verse 16, we see hunger in holding, the Word, “I will not forget.” The word “forget” means to mislay or lose from memory. David intends on keeping a grip upon the Word of God; he is going to hold it in his memory. The psalmist said, “in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:1). Spiritual birth generates a hunger for the Word! Do you cave “The Book” like a baby caves a bottle?