When asked what the longest chapter in the bible is, many know it is Psalm 119 with one hundred and seventy six verses. In Psalm 119 we read of the importance of desiring and knowing God’s word. It is said to be sweeter than honey and worth more than gold. It is a light to our path and teaches us knowledge and good judgment. We are to ‘hide God’s Word in our hearts’ to keep us from sin.
What I didn’t know until a few days ago is that the second longest chapter in the bible is Numbers chapter 7, with eighty nine verses. Numbers 7 is a repetitious, not so interesting, account of the offerings and sacrifices the princes brought to God.
Maybe, the fact that the longest chapter has to do with God’s Laws means that God’s desire above all else, is that we crave His word, for that is where we find God Himself. He wants a relationship with Himself above all else.
And, maybe the fact that the second largest has to do with service is that the natural outcome of time spent in God’s Word results in a life poured out in service and offering to God. He wants us to “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him – for this is our spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
The fact that Numbers 7 gives a detailed and repetitious account of all the sacrifices to God, leads us to believe that God keeps a record of all we have given to him. Every act of service, no matter how small, is recorded in heaven and remembered by God.
We may fee insignificant and inferior compared to others. Yet, every meal we cook for our families, every class we teach, every encouraging word offered to others, is recorded above.
So, I’d like to encourage you today, to keep studying God’s Word. Know Him and His law.
Then, continue to offer your sacrifices, whatever that may be, to Him.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” Galatians 6:9.
As we enter into autumn, I link up with Bonnie at Faith Barista in reflecting on faith as we enter into the Autumn season. For, it is often when we become weary of studying God's Word, and our bodies and emotions become tired of serving Him and others, that we enter into the dryness that comes after the rain and growth. Let us enter into this season full of joy and energy, to serve as he directs; and to direct all the praise back to HIM.
As we enter into autumn, I link up with Bonnie at Faith Barista in reflecting on faith as we enter into the Autumn season. For, it is often when we become weary of studying God's Word, and our bodies and emotions become tired of serving Him and others, that we enter into the dryness that comes after the rain and growth. Let us enter into this season full of joy and energy, to serve as he directs; and to direct all the praise back to HIM.

Hi Shanda - spending time in the word seems to shape one's heart into wanting to do more, better,etc. Great post
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Yes to this, it just makes me feel good to read it. Nothing we do for God is ever forgotten!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Shanda! I often feel like what I'm doing at home is not considered service to the Lord. This helped me to realize that I don't need to physically serve in the church to serve God. XOXO
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to quote to me, "What so ever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might." (and as unto the Lord) Thank you for your reminder to not grow weary!!!
ReplyDeletePsalm 119 has long been one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I am passionate about knowing God's word (I have a lot to learn). I did not know about Number 13. I confess Numbers is one of those books that I try to hurry through when reading it. I love that every act of service is recorded above - even those that we feel are insignificant.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joan
This post was very inspirational and I'm so glad to find you--God Bless and have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome thoughts of truth...love studying God's Word....our Pastor at church just completed a series of teachings on Psalm 119 ... and learning how to pray with gratitude and thanksgiving ....
ReplyDeleteWonderful teaching and challenges! Thanks, especially, for your teaching from Numbers. Great stuff! Thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I have that verse from Galatians, along with the following - especially to those of the household of faith - calligraphed on my kitchen soffet. Beautiful post! Coming over from Bonnie's...
ReplyDeleteThis morning I thanked God for his Word of Truth, for I recalled how it has transformed my thinking so radically. I wouldn’t be here today had it not been for his Word, shaper and more powerful than any two-edged sword. Had I not allowed it to be a lamp until my feet and a roadmap for the journey!
ReplyDeleteStaying in the word and drawing near to Him are a true blessing!
ReplyDeleteStarred this post. It's a goodie. One that I will come back to again. In fact, cut and paste it in my little running favorites document I keep.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shanda.
wow.. this is awesome post. I love how you linked the two.. glory. I am so blessed by you! Thanks
ReplyDeleteGod has been working this in my heart a lot lately..so this spoke right to this area...in fact I had repeated some of these words to my son yesterday...thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda,
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate coming here and hearing words of encouragement. Reminders that we are all special and important in this world and are here for a reason. Your role as someone who encourages and inspires does not go unnoticed either. I think you do a wonderful job with your blog and I am giving you and award! Come visit me to receive your award :-) Congratulations!
Michael Ann
http://thebiggreenbowl.blogspot.com
(You may recognize my name from Thinking in My Head, but I also have a recipe blog)
I love the connection of knowing truth and serving! A shriveled heart could never offer love or service and a heart not fed on the Word is always malnourished.
ReplyDeletei must say that I was enlightened today while reading your thoughts. I love the scriptures and treasure the opportunity to read them everyday. I loved your thoughts on truth and serving. I do think it is recorded that good that we do.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you for your thoughts!
I love this post and all of the knowledge that is shared. I can see how reading God's word and being close to Him is changing my life. I have a huge desire to serve others more now than any other time in my life. I love how He pours the right things into our spirits. Thank you for sharing and for teaching me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it is a little wearying living this Christian life, battling expectations, and yet it's God's Word and His hand in my life that make it all worthwhile. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteto crave His word...yes. Thank you Shanda.
ReplyDeleteSpending time in God's Word is the first and most important step in serving Him...great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes we look so much to serve outside the home and to do "grand" things for God--whether at church, in our community, or overseas (and those things are great)--but we forget that we have a mission field in our own homes.
May God help us to see how we can serve not only throughout the world but also in our own backyard.
Thanks for sharing!
Daphne
http://blog.daphnewrites.com
Great post Shanda! After my husband left, I was in so much pain I didn't feel like I could serve in the church or be good for anything, but I had to keep going for the sake of my daughter. She was an infant and needed a mother to be present so I decided that I was going to be the best mother I could be and wash dishes and clothes as unto the Lord! Now that I'm in a healthier place, I am able to serve and be involved more, but I know God saw everything in that first year, and that there will be a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Carrie
Thanks for the encouragement. It's always good for us to be reminded that the Lord does care about every little thing. I love that he is in the details.
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to feel insignificant. But our acts of obedience and service stretch out in directions that we may never see. Thanks for that reminder. And thank you, too, for reminding us to come to the feast table, to feast on the Word. It is the nourishment that we need in order to stretch out beyond our selfishness and serve. We don't possess enough strength on our own to make a difference. But the Spirit is ready to work through us. He is the Word. He is the portion. And He is the feast.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this encouraging post.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a good weekend.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Shanda, I love how infectious your love for the Word is! Thank you for pointing out the beauty of this Psalm for our autumn season and sharing it in the jam!
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