I don’t think that it’s a stretch to say that getting to know and love God’s Word is one of the best things that we can do in this life. The importance of the Bible to a believer can’t be overstated; it is literally our guidebook on how to live, how to act, how to think and most importantly, how to get to know God.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) NKJV
The fact that we believe and have faith in God at all is only possible because of His Word. Our salvation is dependent on it and by it we are given hope, peace, wisdom, truth, instruction and inspiration. All of this and more God has done for us through His Word and the more we study it and apply it to our lives, the better and more like Him we will be.
As I have read the Bible over the years and spent time listening to other believers, to sermons, to teaching and to hymns, certain verses have become very special and very real to me. Not a Sunday morning goes by that I don’t get up with a smile on my face and this verse in my head:
(I will) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4) NASB
Sunday morning for me means that it is time to go to my church. It is time to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ and to hear His Word proclaimed and to be taught and encouraged together. Sundays are special times, but what about the other days of the week? Do I have a verse for those? I do, actually, and I really like it:
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) NKJV
Every day is a gift from God! The Lord has fashioned it, He has made this day for us and we are instructed to rejoice and be glad. For sure, some days it is easier than others. But even on the tough days God is still with us, He is still on His throne and still deserves our praise and thanksgiving. Because I have read and believe His Word to be true, I can then exercise my privilege to praise (and don’t ever forget that it is a privilege to call upon His name and offer Him praise!) despite my circumstances.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) NASB
Unless I commit to study and to memorize this amazing document that God has created just for me, I will never be adequate or equipped for His good work. The same is true for you. Have you committed His Word to memory? Have you spent time reading and studying the Bible and do you continue to do so on a daily basis? If you do, then it will make a powerful difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. I can think of no better way to start a new year than to spend quality time in God’s amazing Word.