Get Cut (Part 3)

The third characteristic of “getting cut” is delight.

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Job is an example of a man who prospered because he delighted in God’s word. Job 23:12 says, “12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” During a conversation with Satan, God had such confidence in Job to do the right thing that he referred him to the evil one. Job 1:8 says, “8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Through hardships and trials it was the foundation of God’s word in Job’s life that sustained him.

Jeremiah was used by God to proclaim judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, and yet he was also a prophet of hope, proclaiming oracles of salvation. Why did God use Jeremiah to be His mouthpiece? Jeremiah 15:16 gives us the answer to this question. It says, “16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.” Jeremiah was a man who delighted in God’s word.

Joshua was a man used by God to do mighty exploits, and lead the Israelites on the quest to possess the promise land. Before stepping foot on his new territory, God gave Joshua the key to his future success. And guess what; it was rooted in obedience to God’s word. Joshua 1:6-8 says, “6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Jesus resisted temptation and drove his enemy away from Him by quoting scripture as He responded to the devil’s enticements. Three times Jesus reminded the devil about God’s will by saying, “it is written”. Jesus not only recited Scripture, but He lived it also (Matthew 4:1-11).

All of these men did amazing things in their generation because they delighted in God’s word. What do you do when you wake up and realize that you hunger and thirst for God? You become a person of significance and a world changer!

God‘s word is as important to the nourishment of your soul and spirit as food is to your physical body.