Gratitude Series Episode 10

Hello, my walking friend! You could be spending these 10 minutes listening to music or to an audiobook, but you have chosen to spend your time meditating on Jesus and his word. And I know he is going to bless you abundantly for making this choice!

Today is the 10th episode in the gratitude series. In each podcast during this series we will take some time to focus on thanking Jesus for something specific and we will have two different verses to meditate on. Today we will be thanking Jesus for his word.

Our first verse to meditate on is Psalm 119:105:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

I know you are walking right now, but can you guess how many physical bibles you own? One, two, many? I know I have a lot, in different translations, too. What a blessing it is for those of us who have access to Jesus’ written word! If you live in the United States, you can easily get a bible for free or almost free. Go to any Friends of the Library bookstore and you will find copies for a dollar or less. Yes, we are blessed to have easy access to God’s written word here.

Of course, that isn’t the case all over the world. But that is no reason to fret – remember, God’s word existed way before the printing press was invented! God’s word has been, and is, revealed to people verbally, through testimonies, in nature, and even supernaturally. And let’s not forget the ability to listen to God’s word on the radio or on podcasts, like this one! Many ministries send out audio versions of the bible to people groups who may not have the ability to read it because of illiteracy or lack of translations.

We will definitely spend some time today thanking Jesus for the access we have to his word – but our true blessing is in his word itself. That he would choose to reveal himself, his plans, the meaning of life, the way to salvation, his commands – and so much more – to us through his word makes my heart overflow with gratitude. How about you?

Our second verse for today is 2 Corinthians 9:15:

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

God’s word is an indescribable gift! Take a little time now to thank Jesus for it and to meditate on today’s verses.

Did Jesus reveal anything special to you as you meditated on these two verses?

Listen to the words of this hymn written by Bernard Barton in 1826. The title is Lamp of Our Feet, I’m sure taken from the psalm we are meditating on today!
Lamp of Our Feet
1. Lamp of our feet! whereby we trace Our path, when wont to stray;
Stream from the fount of heav’nly grace! Brook by the trav’ler’s way!
2. Bread of our souls! whereon we feed; True manna from on high!
Our guide, and chart wherein we read Of realms beyond the sky.
3. Pillar of fire— through watches dark! Or radiant cloud by day!
When waves would whelm our tossing bark— Our anchor and our stay!
4. Pole— star on life’s tempestuous deep! Beacon! when doubts surround;
Compass! by which our course we keep; Our deep sea— lead, to sound!
5. Riches in poverty! our aid In every needful hour!
Unshaken rock! the pilgrim’s shade; The soldier’s fortress tow’r.
6. Our shield and buckler in the fight! Vict’ry’s triumphant palm!
Comfort in grief! in weakness, might! In sickness, Gilead’s balm.
7. Childhood’s preceptor! manhood’s trust! Old age’s firm ally!
Our hope—when we go down to dust, Of immortality.
8. Pure oracles of truth divine! Unlike each fabled dream
Given forth from Delphos’ mystic shrine Or groves of Academe!
9. Word of the ever-living God! Will of His glorious Son!
Without Thee, how could earth be trod? Or Heaven itself be won?
10. Yet to unfold thy hidden worth, Thy mysteries to reveal,
That Spirit which first gave thee forth, Thy volume must unseal!
11. And we, if we aright would learn The wisdom it imparts,
Must to its heavenly teaching turn With simple, child-like hearts!

Yes, we must unseal the volume – open the bible, listen to the bible, and turn to its teachings with child-like hearts. It truly is a lamp to our feet as we walk through this life.

Now let’s take some time now to thank Jesus for his word and the ways that it blesses us.

You are now at the halfway point of your walk. If you need to be back in 10 minutes, this would be the time to turn around and head back.

Now I am going to pray for us:

Dear Jesus,
Forgive me when I have taken for granted the easy access I have to read and study your word. Thank you for lavishing this gift on me. Help me remember to worship you, the living word, and not the physical forms your word may take in my life. Thank you for revealing deeper meanings to me when I allow the Holy Spirit to study your word with me. Thank you for showing me, in your word, the way to live a holy life. Thank you for the testimonies, both good and bad, of the saints who have gone before me. They help me live wiser and give me hope. Thank you, Jesus, the living word, for always walking with me. Amen.

Here are some questions for you to consider:

How many Bibles do you own, in print or electronic form?

When you have a chance, count them. Until then, take some time now to thank Jesus for the easy access you have to his word.

Can you think of a few of your favorite verses? Even if you don’t have them memorized word for word, think about the meaning in those verses. Why are they among your favorites? Consider your answer now.

Take some time to thank Jesus for all the ways his word is a blessing to you.

Before we wrap up, listen again to today’s verses:

Psalm 119:105:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

2 Corinthians 9:15:

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Is there anything else you would like to talk to Jesus about? Remember, he is right there with you, walking with you, and he is eager for you to share all that is on your heart and mind with him. Take some time to talk to and thank Jesus now.

Well, you did it, my friend! Another 10 minutes of walking with Jesus. Do you feel inspired to learn more about Jesus by reading his word? I hope so! If you do, I know that Jesus will bless you and reveal so much to you! As you receive his word, remember to also thank him for it!

Thank you for taking the time to walk with me today! But more importantly, you walked with Jesus, the word himself! Keep up the good work, my friend!

For more Walk with Jesus resources, including the Walk with Jesus 21 day scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal book for walkers, go to WalkwithJesusDevotional.com. The November edition focuses on gratitude and is a part of this podcast series. You will find the URL for this book and other resources in the podcast show notes.

I hope we can walk together again tomorrow, friend. In our next episode we will be thanking Jesus for your identity. Until then, God bless you as you walk with Jesus.