These four words “Put it in writing” are what we do when we have a complaint, have a deal that needs to be made, or even just to get a point across. We put it in writing and it is used to bare witness or to tell the intention of ones actions.
When God wanted to get someone’s attention, that’s exactly what He did: He put it in writing. What do you think the main message of His writings are in the bible?
Throughout the entire bible God is telling us how much He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. He also tries to guide us, protect through instruction, give us insight to how we should treat our spouse and others. His word also gives us direction on how to raise our children and it teaches us how to be responsible with the provision He has given us.
So how will you treat God’s word? In Jeremiah 36:2 God tells Jeremiah “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.”
At that point Jeremiah dictated to Baruch all the words the Lord was speaking to him.
After the scroll was written it was taken to the house of the Lord by Baruch to be read to all the people. When he was finished it was taken by three men to King Jehoiakim, the king of Judah to be read to him. Look at what his response was In verse 24 ; “The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear.”
Only the three men who brought the scroll to the king respected God’s word and urged the king not to burn it but he did not listen, and threw it in the firepot.
Have you ever disrespected God’s word? We may not torch it’s pages, but have we just ignored it? We may not outwardly rebel against it, but at times we refuse to let His words touch our life. God put His words in writing as a love story for us to enjoy. Yet we often ignore it, downplay it or just forget about it because our lives are too busy with more important things.
In Psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible, we see a stark contrast between King Jehoiakim and the psalmist, who is believed to be King David. While King Jehoiakim treated God’s word with contempt and disrespect, the psalmist shows a desire to learn more, apply more and trust more in God’s law for his life.
The psalmist in chapter 119 starting in verse 97, says about God’s word;
“Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than
my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For I meditate on your statues.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts,
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path,
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
If you’re familiar with the life of David you know he was just like the rest of us, NOT perfect! Yet in the bible it says of David that he was a man after God’s own heart. We maybe wondering how that could be said of David with all the sin he committed. I believe it was because God has the ability to look at the heart. God knew David’s desire was to know Him better, and even though it was hard for David to follow through all the time, the desire to keep God’s law was ever before him.
The question I have for you today; will you be like King Jehoiakim and totally disregard God’s word for your life or will you be like King David, though not perfect desired to know God more. David gave God access to his life because he knew God was faithful to lead and guide him in the way of blessing. In doing that, David was able to praise God continually in the good times and in the bad times.
Lord I pray like David, we would have a desire to know you better. That we would look to you, the one who knows the beginning and the end, to guide us each day with your love.
In Jesus name I pray.
