A couple of summers ago, my husband played a little trick on our boys. He gave each of our young sons a salt and vinegar chip to try. We knew right away that the flavor was not what the boys had expected. With scrunched up noses and tongues out, the boys handed the remainder of the chip back to daddy. We had a good laugh and, of course, we video the whole “experiment.” We enjoy replaying it and seeing those funny, sour faces our boys made.
We can all recall a time when we tried something that left a bad taste in our mouths. You may have even made the same sour face my boys made. And chances are, you have avoided the offensive food ever since. I know my boys haven’t ask for salt and vinegar chips since!
But there is something that can be sweet and pleasant to our mouth. God’s Word. The Bible tells us that God’s Words are sweeter than honey to our mouths (Psalms 119:103). Now, in contrast, when we offer our boys something sweet, their faces light up! They are excited and eager to have the sweet. They can’t get enough!
How do you approach God’s Word? Do you avoid it? Or are you eager to read it; can you not get enough?
Personally, I have had times of both. I have experienced times when I can’t get enough of God’s Word. I feel a real eagerness to read and experience God’s Word. I have also had times when I have avoided spending time in God’s Word. I get busy and don’t make time. Or, if I am really honest, times when I am mad at God and just don’t want to hear from Him.
One of the most offensive tastes is bitterness. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:31).”
Want to get rid of that bitter taste? Try something sweet. Forgiveness and grace counteract bitterness. God’s Word is our sweet reminder that we are loved, forgiven, and have received grace.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:16
During those times of avoidance, when I have put away my bitterness, my anger and allowed myself to experience God’s Word, every time I have experienced His sweetness.
God’s Word is truth (Psalm 119:160). His Word is unchanging. So, while my feelings toward His Word may change, it doesn’t change His Word. His Words to me, His Words to you, are sweet. And when I realize this, I can’t get enough!
Here are a few of His sweet words that He has spoken to me recently,
That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord. – Romans 4:22-24
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? – Romans 8:31-35
What about you? What verses has He sweetly revealed to you through His Word recently? I encourage you to leave a verse or verses in the comments below.