How about your Bible study, is it important enough to you to lay aside time each day to read and study God’s word? If you want to know Him better. If you want to know the answers to your problems, study. The written word is God’s letter to you. God’s word has the answer for all of life either by biblical principle or direct command. Studies show the money spent in America for counseling averages $150.00 a month per individual. That’s more than 49 billion a year! I wonder how much better off we would be if we all sought God first? How many problems could be solved by reading His word and obeying it? If you are a Christian, you should have a desire to read His word. If you don’t, you need to do a double check on your relationship. We seek to spend time with those we love, and John 14:15 says if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
In II Timothy 2:15, we are commanded to study God’s word. It is the only way to know the heart of God. It will keep us from committing sin that hurts God and our relationship with Him. It will reveal to us the things we need to change. It will show us the consequences of sin in the lives of the characters of the Bible. This will help us to avoid unnecessary pain.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
In Hebrews 4:12, the Bible teaches us that God’s word is quick, meaning it is living, it is powerful awaking the conscience, like a two-edged sword it can cut to the heart, and it will reveal to us the intent of our hearts. God already knows our intent, but many times we convince ourselves we are something we are not. However, because the word is truth there is no deception in it.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Joshua was a great man of God, and the word was so important to him that he chose to meditate on it day and night. By knowing God’s word, Joshua was able to live by what was written.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
In Psalm 119:105, we see the word illuminating our path. It is guiding us in the right direction.
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
In Psalm 119:11, God’s word keeps us from sin. Sin will always push us further away from God. However, when we hide it in our hearts by memorizing it, we will have ammunition to fight the temptations Satan brings our way.
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
When I choose to study God’s word the benefits are unnumberable. I find examples of women in the Bible from which I can learn. Deborah was a splendid example of a woman of strength. Hannah was an example of a mother who trusted God completely with her child. Ruth was faithful even when things seemed bleak. She trusted God for providing not only for herself but for her mother-in-law. Esther exhibits great courage to do what is right in the face of possible death. The Bible is full of examples for us to learn from, but it takes studying for God to reveal them to us.
When I seek Him early, I set the tone for my day. My children see me taking a stand because I’m putting God’s word first in my day. They see what is important to me and where I gain my strength. We gain peace because our confidence is in God. We know He is in control. The more I study the more I know Him and the more I know Him the easier it is to trust Him. The more I know Him the more I want to study. It’s a win-win for the Christian.
When we bathe our hearts in the love letter from God, we begin to see life with a heavenly perspective. Our anxiety lowers, our confidence grows, our love for God and others is magnified in our actions. When I allow God’s word to penetrate my heart and mind I can say as the psalmist in Psalm 121:2, my help comes from the Lord.
Psalm 121:2 “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
