Yesterday I took my mom out to a buffet for Mother’s day. I normally don’t go to a buffet. In fact it has been years I have been to this particular buffet: Hometown buffet.
But it got me thinking about the place for feasts in life.
I know if you look at the picture for today’s post it is of American “Thanksgiving” with the pilgrims and native Americans.
But when we think of American thanksgiving most people think of feasting.
So when was the last time you feasted on God’s Word? That is, you found so much delight in Scripture you spend some time really consuming it and enjoying the Word of God and the truth contained within its pages? You’re reading the Word of God, being in the Spirit, with a heart of worship and an attitude of awe, wonder and gratitude?
By feast I don’t necessarily mean your regular devotional. That’s definitely a means of grace that God uses in the lives of believers. Its important.
But by feasting of the word of God I mean going beyond your routine reading of the Word of God and schedule time to dive into the Word of God more deeply than you normally are use to doing. And you are doing this primarily to enjoy God first (and therefore glorify Him!).
There’s some physical feast I’ve participated in that I regretted: I ate too much and felt uncomfortable. For some we might be thinking about our weight and waist line. But feasting on the Word of God has none of those associated regret; feasting on the Word of God is never a waste of time! I’ve never regretted being in the Word of God; in fact I regretted not being in the Word of God.
Some might read this and ask: This focus on eating and the Word of God, is this a biblical motif?
Hear the words of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 15:16:
Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Notice Jeremiah “ate” God’s Word. Not literally. But spiritually He was consuming it. Notice he said it was a joy and delight.
Remember the Word of Jesus in Matthew 4:4:
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'”
So go ahead make time to be in the Word. Alone with you and God. What a privilege. Schedule the time to spend in the Word for an hour. Some reading this might realize one’s personal daily devotional is lacking. Here’s something Michael has written for reading the Psalms. But sometimes it might just be a good thing to spend a lot of time with feasting God’s Word and that fuels your daily devotions in the Word.
If you have feasted in God’s Word recently, share with us what you learn from the Word of God below. Would love to hear from you!
The Domain for Truth 
Feasting on God’s Word is definitely something everyone should do.
Word that needs to be heard. I imagine you have a busy Saturday with ministry, seminary work and family?
My class ended yesterday and I really don’t have much going on which is rare. Went to the store and am doing some yardwork and some chores around the house. Kind of a nice break and I am enjoying it. Next class starts tomorrow and I have some ministry stuff next week. And am going to the Men’s Summit at Gateway Church in Dallas Thursday and Friday. Also going on vacation in two weeks 🙂
Now this is convicting. Thanks for the insight. Very powerful.
Ty:)
I think more people F-A-S-T from the Word of God than feast from it.
Funny but that’s true.
Good exhortation! Man, it’s been a couple of weeks since I did a deep-dive Bible study. Will do some feasting tomorrow!
Nice! Are you and your wife still in the minor prophets?
My wife and I do the Charles Stanley daily devotions but I’m in Matthew with my personal daily readings
For me feasting on God’s Word, is when I dig deeply into a passage by using different translations to get a deeper meaning of the text. The other night I saw Matthew 7/14 in a new light with renewed understanding. In the Hebrew, the word usually translated from the Greek as “narrow”, is afflicted.
Thanks for sharing how you feast and also gleamings from your feasts! Have a blessed Lord’s Day and any Mother’s Day plan?
Mother’s Fay Buffet! 😃
Thank you for this post. I read the Bible everyday but you made me realize that for a long time I have just been reading it, not feasting on it.
Matthew 4:4
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Good verse! How is your day thus far? Was delayed commenting back after liking this comment, at a nice garden with family after a long weekend of ministry!
I’ve been tired today, but my back hasn’t been hurting as much as yesterday. A little apprehensive about my MRI at the state capitol on Wednesday. I suppose they’re checking to see if the hamster is still on the wheel.
Reblogged this on Truth in Palmyra and commented:
What a great illustration! We can feast on God’s Word with all the great benefits of spiritual nutrition but without all the side effects of feasting on regular food. Thanks for this brother Jim.
Thank you, Jim ~ reminding me of Jesus’ words being “Spirit and Life” and “eating Him.” His Word does its own work in us. Sometimes the feast can turn us upside down. We can never have enough if we truly understand what we are receiving. Blessings for your week.