How can Job's example inspire us to deepen our commitment to Scripture? Job 23:12 in Focus “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:12) What Job Shows Us about Loving the Word • Scripture isn’t optional nourishment; it is daily bread. • Clinging to God’s commands is a deliberate choice, not an accident. • Valuing God’s voice above physical needs reveals genuine faith. Echoes of Job’s Hunger in Other Passages • Deuteronomy 8:3 — “man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” • Psalm 119:97 — “Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.” • Psalm 119:103 — “How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey to my mouth!” • Matthew 4:4 — Jesus cites Deuteronomy 8:3 when resisting temptation, treating Scripture as the decisive authority. • 2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is God-breathed,” underscoring its perfect trustworthiness. How Job’s Example Invites Us Deeper • Prioritize: If food comes three times a day, give the Word at least equal scheduling. • Depend: Approach Scripture expecting it to sustain, guide, and correct (Psalm 19:7-11). • Guard: Refuse to “depart from the commandment” even when circumstances press hard. • Delight: Cultivate affection as well as obedience—treasure, don’t just study. Practical Steps to Treasure the Word Today 1. Set a fixed “meal time” in the Word—morning coffee, lunch break, or bedtime. 2. Read aloud; hearing “the commandment of His lips” reinforces permanence (Romans 10:17). 3. Memorize key verses; carry them into temptation and trial as Jesus did. 4. Journal one takeaway and one action point after every reading. 5. Share discoveries with family or friends; speaking truth deepens ownership (Colossians 3:16). 6. Fast occasionally from media or hobbies, replacing that craving with Scripture study. The Fruit of a Scripture-Filled Life • Steadfastness under pressure (Psalm 1:2-3). • Discernment between truth and error (Hebrews 5:14). • Joy and peace that outlast circumstances (Jeremiah 15:16). • A testimony that points others to the sufficiency of God’s Word (Philippians 2:15-16). Living Out Job 23:12 Treasure the Bible as urgently as breakfast, as faithfully as daily bread, and watch God shape convictions that stand firm—just like Job’s—no matter what comes. |
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