This week I want to talk about the importance of reading the Word, the Bible. Do we spend time in the Word? Devotionals, blogs, journals, Bible app reminders are all great but is that the only time we are reading the Word?
Do we realize the weight of what we have in the Word? God literally wrote this to and for us. Do we understand the fight that we have? Do we use this weapon that we have been given? We are told that it is sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) but do we know how to wield it? Do we take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through His Word? We need to focus on His Word.
As I was reading through Psalms several verses caught my attention. They’re all from Psalm 119 the Passion Translation, I will write them below. In my Bible they’re highlighted and some are highlighted and underlined. I always recommend highlighting. 🙂
“I’m lovesick with yearnings for more of your salvation, for my heart is entwined with your word.”
Verse 81
“I’m consumed with longings for your promises, so I ask, “When will they all come true?”
Verse 82
“Standing firm in the heavens and fastened to eternity is the word of God.”
Verse 89
“Because your words are my deepest delight, I didn’t give up when all else was lost.”
Verse 92
Have you ever felt lost or overwhelmed? Have you ever almost given up but you held on to a scripture? You know that He is faithful, you know that He keeps His promises. Why? Because you’ve read the Word. When all is lost, ask Him for a Word to hold on to.
“I can never forget the profound revelations you’ve taught me, for they have kept me alive more than once.”
Verse 93
“I’ve learned that there is nothing perfect in this imperfect world except your words, for they bring such fantastic freedom into my life!”
Verse 96
Freedom. His Word brings freedom.
“O how I love and treasure the revelation of your word; throughout the day I fill my heart with it’s light!”
Verse 97
Do we do this? Do we meditate throughout the day on His Word?
“By considering your commands I have an edge over my enemies, for I take seriously everything you say.”
Verse 98
With this scripture I want to include the armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-18. I recommend turning there now and reading those scriptures. This portion of scripture tells us about the armor that we can clothe ourselves with. Do we? Do we take seriously what He says and that these things are available to us? Do we put on the helmet of Salvation and cover our minds with His Word? Do we take up the sword of the Spirit? I try to pray this Scripture (Ephesians 6:10-18) every morning, committing it to memory, clothing myself in His Word and armor.
“You have given me more understanding than those who teach me, for I’ve absorbed your eye-opening revelation.”
Verse 99
“I refused to bend my morals when temptation was before me so that I could become obedient to your word.”
Verse 101
Have you ever been asked to do something that you know is wrong? Have you ever faced temptation or has the enemy started whispering in your ear? How can we combat those things? Where can we turn? Want to guess? …..The Word! Re-read verse 98! By considering His commands we have an edge over our enemies! Do we take Him seriously?
“I refuse to turn away from difficult truths, for you yourself have taught me to love your words.”
Verse 102
“How sweet are your living promises to me; sweeter than honey is your revelation-light.”
Verse 103
“For your truth is the source of my understanding, not the falsehoods of those who don’t know you, which I despise.”
Verse 104
“Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear.”
Verse 105
“To live my life by your righteous rules has been my holy and lifelong commitment.”
Verse 106
“I’m bruised and broken, overwhelmed by it all; breathe life into me again by your living word.”
Verse 107
“I need more revelation for your word to know more about you, for I’m in love with you!”
Verse 125
“Every word you speak, every truth revealed, is always right and beautiful to me, for I hate what is phony or false.”
Verse 128
“Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.”
Verse 130
Do we have open hearts? Are we searching for insight into the plans He has for us (Jer. 29:11)? Open your heart, read the Bible.
“I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands.”
Verse 131
Get in the Word, friends. Know who you are in Christ, know what the Lord says about you, know the plans He has for you, know how to combat the enemy, know that in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33) but He has overcome the world.
Journal Prompts:
1.) Did one of these Scriptures speak to you more than another? Did one of the images jump out? Write the Scripture(s) on index cards, paper, or set them as a reminder in your phone to pop up several times a day this week. Commit that Scripture(s) to memory and meditate on what they mean.
2.) Did you highlight or underline? Like the Facebook page and share a picture of your Bible pages!
(I just want to point out, there are countless reasons to read the Bible,
this is not an exhaustive list.)
I loved this one: “I’m consumed with longings for your promises, so I ask, “When will they all come true?” That’s how I want to be. Consumed with the longing for His word.
Amen! Me too!
There is nothing I love more than getting in the Scripture and studying it – going to the Greek and Hebrew, doing word studies, doing thematic studies based on the word studies, writing about the Bible, talking about the Bible – all of it! I’m a card-carrying Bible history geek.
That’s awesome! I love it, too. There’s so much more when you literally “study” the Word!
Yes! You’re speaking my language in this post! Nothing excites me more than God’s Word. Without it, I wouldn’t be here today. It is alive, active, life-changing. Thanks for all of the encouragement from Psalm 119!
Amen! So good! I was reading in Psalm 130 today, verse 5, “This is why I wait upon you, expecting your breakthrough, for your Word brings me hope.” All our hope is in Him!