“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
There are certain foods that are not appealing to us on an individual basis, all because we don’t view them as something we would enjoy. To be more open to these foods, it takes time, sometimes boldness, and it involved overcoming our normal aversion to such foods. Raw fish, oysters, the new multiple types of hot sauce, ketchup on hot dogs, and a number of foods that are not germane to our geographical location, for some require an acquired taste. Personally, I have an aversion to bouncy foods like shrimp, sushi, and mushrooms. To add these foods that are not appealing initially, well, it takes some getting used to, requires the development of an acquired taste.
Now let’s turn from food items to the formidable word of God. I just know that when it comes to God’s word, you have been diligent in your study the word, and you are progressively developing your understanding of biblical texts, and I’m sure you could concur that that the consistent messages God sends to you produce a progressive sense of boldness as you travel through life. I’m sure you see that there is never any risk involved in regard to getting into the word of God.
However, let’s face it. We both know some individuals who have not overcome their fear of how the word, because it might demand a change in the way they live. Such individuals do not realize, just like some of the foods that require an acquired taste and are beneficial to our health, they need to keep trying to acquire a taste for the word of God. Developing a love for the word of God will come over time and you should share with others how you acquired a taste for the word of God. Be sure to share, with specific examples, how renewing your mind in the word of God transformed you, changed you for the better; made you more spiritually healthy.
I have sent this to you early enough so that this morning, you can wake up the person(s) who need to be reminded about the benefit of the word. As a matter of face, do it early enough and add an invitation for them to join you at your place of worship, a place where they can taste and see that the Lord is good. Of course, you will face resistance, you will be offered excuses of all types, but be persistent. If nothing else, make sure you enjoy your preview in service today, a preview of what happens when all God’s children get together! As the songwriter says, “What a time it will be!”
Enjoy the special presence of the Lord in the sanctuary on this a special day, the set aside Lord’s Day! But before you leave home, see how the closing verse speaks to you. I hope you are one is on “solid food.” Still, don’t miss an opportunity to find someone that you can minister to with these verses so they can see the importance of an acquired taste. Love you! Be blessed!
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King