I often hear Christians comment that they don’t have time to study God’s word. They get a snippet here and there, or from a paragraph on social media. They get a thought-provoking comment about being a better person and doing good deeds, and in their minds they have acquired enough information to satisfy their spiritual life. If you only hear the Word of God at church, or grab a verse here and there, you are cheating yourself out of the best relationship you can ever have this side of Heaven. Why do we need to read the Bible or meditate on His word? Because in our fast-paced world, it is easy to let the urgent crowd out the essential. Before our feet hit the floor, we check our phones. We consume endless streams of news, podcasts, social media and the culture around us to help us navigate life. However, those things cannot bring peace and satisfaction to our souls. Our lives are full of activity that keeps us anxious, but at the end of the day our souls feel empty. We fall into bed thinking a good night’s rest is what we need, only to jump out of bed and start the same routine again.
So, if I am saved, why do I need to read the Bible every day? First, we need to understand that reading the Bible daily is not part of a checklist. It is a time to focus on what is truly important in life. It helps our perspective on everything. It helps us cultivate a relationship with God, the one who gave us life and made eternal life in Heaven possible. The Bible is a love letter from our Creator. As we study, we encounter the living God. We see His mercy, His ultimate sacrifice for us, and our hope for here and the hereafter. When we open the Bible, we listen to the voice of our Heavenly Father, reminding us who He is and who we are in Him. In II Timothy 3:16-17, we see that the entire Bible is God-inspired. The Greek word for inspiration means to breathe. Life is in the breath. His word is profitable, showing us how to navigate life the right way. It corrects us when we are wrong; it teaches us how to be right with God and pleasing in His sight.
II Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
In Psalm 119:105, the Bible says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” God’s word shows us how to navigate this world. If you have ever tried to walk through your house in the dark, you know why light is needed when you step on a Lego your child left behind or stub your toe on furniture you couldn’t see. While light in this situation can eliminate physical pain, the light of God’s word can ease mental, physical, and spiritual pain when applied correctly.
God’s word will also keep us from sinning when we apply it. Psalm 119:11 teaches us “Thy word Have I hid in my heart that I must not sin against thee.” When we study and memorize God’s word, the Holy Spirit will bring it to our minds when we are tempted. Not knowing God’s word is like going to war without ammunition. You will lose the battle and may even lose the war.
Day by day the faithful study of God’s word will transform and renew us. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus teaches that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” God’s word is food that sustains and grows our souls. As we read, the Holy Spirit uses the truth to search our hearts, convict us of sin, comfort us in grief, and renew our minds. It changes our desires, turning our affections from temporary things to eternal joy. We need daily spiritual renewal, just as our physical bodies need food every day.
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Studying God’s word is also a command given by God in II Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Determining that you will spend time alone with God each day will be the most rewarding time you will ever spend. Everyday your knowledge and love for God will increase, your spirit will be refreshed, the anxieties of the day will become a distant memory as you learn complete trust in God, you will be able to fight off the temptations Satan throws at you, and as you spend time with God you will love Him more. Bible study will not be a chore but a daily delight.
Ask God to forgive you for the times you have looked everywhere else for answers, peace, and fulfillment, for the times you chose sleep, a movie, or social media instead of Him. Ask Him to give you a hunger and desire for His word. Then, find one practical way to find time to study God’s word every day. It may be during a lunch break, or getting up 30 minutes earlier. Whatever it takes, make spending time alone with Him the priority of the day.
