Have you ever noticed sometimes when you are a bit down that just a few words from a friend can lift you up and get you going? That is exactly what God’s Word promises to do. Paul says that there would not be believers unless they had first heard the Word of God and they would not have heard unless someone had gone and spoken to them. He concluded that faith, therefore, comes through hearing the Word of God.[1]
When we spend time reading God’s Word, it speaks to us. Jesus said, “The words I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life.”[2] Hebrews says, “The word of God is quick (alive) and powerful.”[3] Words are real things. They are spiritual entities which either lift up or drag down. Proverbs declares, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”[4]
But meditating and reading God’s Word promises to have a good affect on our lives. Psalm 1 says, “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, who meditates therein day and night. For he shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season and whatsoever he does shall prosper.”[5]
Scientific studies have shown that a diet of daily Bible reading actually affects our brain’s nerve cells making them healthier.[6] Reading God’s Word helps us to be more positive, more loving, patient, and understanding. It casts out fear and worry which are the main causes of stress and inhibitors of good health.
In fact the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, dwells on the importance of reading and meditating on God’s Word. Here’s what it claims God’s word will do for you.
The Word cleanses our path.[7] It helps us not to sin.[8] It gives us answers to give to others.[9] It gives us comfort.[10] It’s better than wealth.[11] It keeps us from getting discouraged.[12] It makes us wiser than our enemies.[13] It makes us smarter than our teachers.[14] It is a lamp unto our feet.[15] It gives light and understanding.[16] It is pure.[17] It is true.[18] It is a help in persecution.[19] It gives us peace.[20]
If you could buy a medicine or a food that would promise to give you those qualities, you would be willing to pay good money, if indeed the promises were true. But God’s promises are true. Like Joshua told Israel, “Not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you: all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof.”[21]
Joshua had previously said, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shall meditate therein day and night that thou may observe to do all that is written therein, for then shall thou make thy way prosperous and then shall thou have good success.”[22] Surely the affects of reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on God’s Word for generations may be the reason the Jewish people are head and shoulders above their brethren in everything they do. All those years of guarding God’s Word in their hearts actually made them smarter and more talented than others.
God’s Word is waters to swim in. Please do not neglect it. It will give you life and light and power and love and everything you need in today’s busy world. It is food for your soul and will give you strength for the battle. Your faith will grow as you read, study, and obey its teachings. God bless you as you meditate on His Word.
1. Romans 10:17
2. John 6:63
3. Hebrews 4:12
4. Proverbs 18:21
5. Psalm 1:1-4 paraphrased
7. Psalm 119:9
8. Psalm 119:11
9. Psalm 119:42
10. Psalm 119:54
11.Psalm 119:72
12. Psalm 119:92
13. Psalm 119:98
14. Psalm 119:99
15. Psalm 119:105
16. Psalm 119:130
17. Psalm 119:140
18. Psalm 119:160
19. Psalm 119:161
20. Psalm 119:165
21. Joshua 21:45
22. Joshua 1:8
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