Focus: Applied Word

Text: Num.11:8

"And the people WENT ABOUT, and GATHERED it, and GROUND it in mills, or BEAT it in a mortar, and BAKED it in pans, and MADE cakes of it: and the TASTE of it was as the taste of fresh oil."

The word of God works when we apply it to our own lives. It is not enough to zealously read, diligently search and correctly interpret the word of God. It is only when we apply it that we'll be able to see the effect of it in our lives. Doing the word is the sure way for us to experience its potency. Nothing really works in this world until we make it work. No word from God is powerless, but the power of God's word is encountered by the believer's obedience. The application of God's word is basically about believing and obeying.

God provides the manna, but what you do with or make out of it is entirely your business.

If you are going to enjoy the manna from heaven, then you must go for it. To feed on God's word requires that you do something. For Israel, they needed to step out of their tents to where the manna was divinely and miraculously scattered. The Scripture says that the people "went about." God's children must learn to go about from one point of Scripture to another and from Genesis to Revelation, looking for spiritual food.

The people went about gathering the manna. The manna was scattered everywhere in all the places where they were encamped. Our spiritual food is scattered across the pages of the Scripture of truth, from Genesis to Revelation. Every soul can gladly feed fat from God's kitchen. 

No Christian in his lifetime can exhaust the immense and tremendous amount of spiritual food provided by God in His word.

Beyond 'going for' the food and 'gathering it,' we need to also "ground it in a mill." We must thoroughly read and reread the Scripture, give careful attention to what it says or does not say, take the time to think through and understand it, and to faithfully apply it to our lives in all areas. 

Like Ezra, we should prepare our hearts to know the word, to do the word, and to teach it to others.

Again, we have to 'beat it in a mortar, bake it in pans, and make "cakes out of it," and experience for ourselves "the taste of fresh oil." The word of God has the taste of fresh oil. Jonathan says, "See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I TASTED a little of this honey" (1Sam.14:29). Just a little taste of God's word, and you would be greatly amazed at the sweetness of God. The psalmist says, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil" (Ps.119:162). He says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him… How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Ps.34:8; 119:103).

Do not just read the word! Do not only study or search the word! Do not just interpret Scripture! But also believe it, store it in your heart, apply it to your life, obey its commands, and do what it says! Like the Americans would say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The word works, and I am absolutely convinced that it will work for you. You get the sweet taste of the word of God when you apply it to your life. David prayed it, "Do as thou hast said" (2Sam.7:25). Simeon demands it, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people" (Lk.2:29,30,31). Mary declares, "Be it unto me according to thy word" (Lk.1:38). Paul boldly says, "For I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Act.27:25). By faith the centurion says, "But speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed" (Mt.8:8). Take God's word personal! Take it seriously! Apply it wholeheartedly! Do it diligently! You will surely experience the sweetness of God's word as you believe and act upon it. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter