Psalms 1:2 ESV  but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

I have noticed that, if I do not enjoy an activity, I rarely continue to pursue it, even if I think that it is valuable or beneficial. But those things I do enjoy, I continue to pursue because they bring delight.

The psalmist tells us that we should find our delight in the law of the Lord, in his Word, if you will. But I know that many have told me over my years of ministry that they find Bible study tedious, boring, and difficult to continue. So, what should we do to help us in our DESIRE for the Word?

Well, first of all, I think it is important to find delight in the author, if we are to appreciate his words. I know that when my wife and I were courting and letter-writing was mandatory (since texting, twitter, and Facebook did not exist and cell phones were yet to be invented), she and I would check the mail each day with excitement and anticipation. Some days, a letter would not arrive, although we wrote each other daily. What a disappointment we felt because we had not heard from each other. Frequently, two or more would arrive on the same day. The delight of hearing from my beloved was indescribable.

Do you love the author of the Bible? Do you enjoy hearing from him? Are you longing to receive a message from him? If you are a member of the FELLOWSHIP, you will have a burning desire to receive his message.

Psalms 37:4 ESV  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

One the motivations of young love was the desire to please my beloved. I spent over $50 (a lot of money for a college student with no income or job) on a pre-engagement ring to present her on Valentines Day back in 1975 because I wanted to please her (well, maybe to impress her as well). I sold my cow, my 10-speed bicycle, and cassette deck just to acquire sufficient funds for the down payment on her engagement ring. I was smitten!

Do you desire to please your heavenly Father? Is it the desire of your heart of show him how much you care about him and want to please him? Knowing his Word will help you to know what pleases him and what he longs to receive from you.

Psalms 40:8 ESV  I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

One of the greatest delights is the ability to share concerns, cares, disappointments, hurts, misunderstandings and more with someone you know loves you and will find a way to “cheer you up.” They know how to console you and to let you know everything is going to be okay.

We have a God who is the Great Consoler. He has a word for any situation or circumstance we face in life. His Word has brought hope and help to generations of hurting and discomforted people.

Psalms 94:19 ESV  When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

One might say that studying the Bible is a lot easier when we find our delight in its AUTHOR.