For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

~Hebrews 4:12 NLT

He peered in the front door as if to say, “Okay, I’m back. Where’s the feeder? I’m coming back for more.”

I anticipate spring when the hummingbirds return. They are fascinating little creatures, each seeming to have its own personality. So, when early spring arrives, I hang one feeder for the scout to find. According to my research, they return to the same feeders yearly.

Near the end of March, I begin watching, hoping the scout will show up and then inform his friends—however this communication happens. Sure enough, the one feeder had not been up long before he appeared. Since we only have one variety of hummer that frequents our area, they are difficult to tell apart, except for the males having more color than the females and some being larger than others.

I don’t usually hang a second feeder until a few more birds appear. But as my wife and I sat in our recliners, relaxing one evening, one appeared at our front door, hovering there momentarily as he peered in at us. Evidently, he looked for the feeder that typically hangs on the gutter.

I quickly made up some homemade mix, put it in front of the fan so it could cool, filled the feeder, and hung it. No sooner had I placed it than he appeared. And kept appearing.

I’m glad the hummingbirds return year after year for more food. They are fascinating and entertaining to watch. Watching them helps me wind down after stress-filled days of teaching.

Like the hummers, I, too, keep returning to the same place—God’s Word. Dad began having family devotions when I was just a young lad. He believed his responsibility as spiritual head of the house was to teach and pass along the principles of God’s Word, and he took this responsibility seriously.

He encouraged me to read the Bible for myself as soon as I could read well enough. And I did. Religiously. Every night. And I have been doing it all my life. Even when I strayed from God, I never strayed from His Word. Those principles, implanted in my heart and mind, kept me returning to God’s teachings and right living.

God’s Word convicted me when I went astray, comforted me during trying times, gave me peace in times of turmoil, encouraged me when I was down, and continually kept God’s standards before me. It has been my mainstay and forever will be. As the writer of Hebrews says, God’s Word is sharper than a double-edged sword and pierces to the deepest recesses of our hearts, souls, and minds.

What God’s Word has done and does for me, it can do for you. Don’t neglect it. Keep coming back for more, like a hummingbird to a feeder.

Make a plan to read and study God’s Word daily. 

Father, keep me returning to your Word for my spiritual food.  

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Coming Back for More: Martin Wiles: All Rights Reserved