57 Reasons to Long For The Word of God

BRIAN BONE   -   February 21, 2022

In 1 Peter 2:2, the Apostle Peter gives an interesting command for us to follow if we are to experience spiritual growth in our lives. Referring to the Word of God as “spiritual milk”, he tells us here…

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation…”

What stands out to me most about this command is how much it is a command for our hearts, not just for our hands. We are not simply being called to the duty of reading our Bibles (though that certainly is involved here). No, instead Peter is calling us to delight in the duty – we are to crave, desire, and love the scriptures if we are to grow. A heart of duty alone simply will not suffice for growth – we must cultivate in ourselves a sincere longing if we are to grow up properly as God desires.

One habit I find helpful for stirring up this kind of longing in my heart for the Word of God is to reflect on those passages in the Bible that remind us of its power. There are dozens to gaze upon, some of my favorites are 2 Timothy 3:15-17 as we remember that the Bible is God-breathed and profitable for all forms of spiritual change in our lives. Also, Psalm 1 with its great illustration of a man meditating on the scriptures growing like a strong tree planted by water. And of course, we cannot leave out Psalm 119 – perhaps the greatest (and certainly the longest) glimpse of the power of the Bible in all of scripture.

And there are more – dozens more, all offering us rich promises to cling to, reminding us that the Bible is far more than just a book – it is a supernatural, God-inspired, God-breathed power to change our lives in all the right ways. Reflecting and looking at all of these passages that remind us of the Bible’s power is good and helpful for the soul – it gives us that important longing in our hearts for the nourishment of the Word.

Toward that end, here is a list I recently compiled of some of the rich promises that these types of passages offer us. Here are 57 reasons why we should long for the Word of God – promises of what the Bible is and what it can do in our lives that can help to stir up the rightful longing in our hearts that we should have for the Word of God!

57 Reasons Why We Should Long For The Word

  1. The word of God gives us life. Psalm 119:25, Psalm 119:50, Psalm 119:93
  2. The word of God sustains our lives. Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4
  3. The word of God is a light for our lives. Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130
  4. The word of God guides our steps. Joshua 1:8
  5. The word of God guides us into blameless lives. Psalm 18:22-23
  6. The word of God makes us prosperous. Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:3
  7. The word of God gives us blessing. Psalm 112:1
  8. The word of God gives us wisdom. Psalm 19:7, Psalm 119:98
  9. The word of God offers us great rewards. Psalm 19:11
  10. The word of God revives our souls. Psalm 19:7
  11. The word of God makes our hearts rejoice. Psalm 19:8
  12. The word of God is perfect. Psalm 19:7
  13. The word of God is pure. Psalm 19:8
  14. The word of God is good. Psalm 119:39
  15. The word of God is wonderful. Psalm 119:29
  16. The word of God is right. Psalm 119:137, Psalm 119:144, Psalm 119:72
  17. The word of God is trustworthy. Psalm 93:5
  18. The word of God is sure. Psalm 119:86
  19. The word of God proves true. Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 119:160
  20. The word of God is eternal. Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:152, Psalm 119:160, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 25:35
  21. The word of God is effective. Isaiah 55:11
  22. The word of God is profitable. 2 Timothy 3:16
  23. The word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12
  24. The word of God is breathed out by God. 2 Timothy 3:16
  25. The word of God is more valuable than gold and silver. Psalm 19:10, Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:127
  26. The word of God is sweeter than honey. Psalm 19:10, Psalm 119:103
  27. The word of God keeps our steps from slipping. Psalm 37:31
  28. The word of God keeps us from stumbling. Psalm 119:165
  29. The word of God keeps us from being ashamed. Psalm 119:6, Psalm 119:80
  30. The word of God warns us. Psalm 19:11
  31. The word of God reproves us. 2 Timothy 3:16
  32. The word of God corrects us. 2 Timothy 3:16
  33. The word of God exposes our hearts. Hebrews 4:12
  34. The word of God reveals our sin. Romans 7:7
  35. The word of God protects us from sin. Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 119:11
  36. The word of God leads us to repentance from sin. Nehemiah 8-9
  37. The word of God leads us to purity. Psalm 119:9
  38. The word of God leads us to praise. Psalm 119:7
  39. The word of God brings us healing. Psalm 107:20
  40. The word of God makes us able to endure suffering. Psalm 1:3
  41. The word of God is a comfort in affliction. Psalm 119:50
  42. The word of God gives us rest from days of trouble. Psalm 94:12-13
  43. The word of God gives us understanding. Psalm 119:99, Psalm 119:104
  44. The word of God gives us great peace. Psalm 119:65
  45. The word of God gives us joy. Jeremiah 15:16
  46. The word of God teaches us. 2 Timothy 3:16
  47. The word of God trains us in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
  48. The word of God makes us complete. 2 Timothy 3:17
  49. The word of God equips us for all good works. 2 Timothy 3:17
  50. The word of God builds us up. Acts 20:32
  51. The word of God strengthens us. Psalm 119:28
  52. The word of God makes us able to teach others. Titus 1:9
  53. The word of God makes us fruitful. Psalm 1:3
  54. The word of God saves us. 1 Peter 1:23 | Romans 10:17 | 2 Timothy 3:15 | James 1:21 | Romans 1:16 | 1 Corinthians 1:18
  55. The word of God cleans us. John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26
  56. The word of God sanctifies us. John 17:17
  57. The word of God helps us to grow. 1 Peter 2:2