Have you ever heard someone say their lives are so cluttered they have to discipline themselves to read the Bible every day, with emphasis on the word discipline.
I remember when my husband and I were first in love. We were engaged and miles apart. Long distance phone calls cost a fortune, and it was long before emails or texts, but we constantly wrote each other. At night I poured over his letters. During the day I thought about his words. I could not get enough of his tenderness, concern, and care. I wanted to know about his abiding love for me, his thoughts about life in general, as well as our future. The amount of time I spent reading his letters, I believe, was a measure of how much I loved him.
Let’s think now about what motivates us to read the Bible. The Bible is the mind of God revealed in language man can understand. How deeply do we desire to know the mind of God? Do we do so out of a sense of obligation, or is it out of genuine love for our Creator and Redeemer? With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:10-11).
Is it what we think others expect of us, or is it a yearning that must be filled? Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness (Psalm 119:40).
How often do we think about scripture during the day—do we meditate on it day and night? I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word (Psalm 119:15-16).
How much time do we devote to reading and studying God’s word? Do we hunger to know the mind of God? My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word (Psalm 119:148). Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
Do we want to understand more about the measure of God’s love for us? In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9).
Do we want to know how to conduct ourselves? But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:15).
Are we anxious to hear about the amazing future He planned for all who love and obey Him? Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3).
Do we have to discipline ourselves to read and study the Bible? If such is the case, let’s sweep out the clutter that hinders us, and set out to revive the passion we had when we first met the Lord and put him on in baptism, when we hungered for scripture. Our time in the word, at least in part, shows the measure of our love, devotion, and commitment for God!
Today’s Verse: I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments (Psalm 119:131).
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By Teresa Hampton