By this point you have already analysed your priorities and the time you spend on each activity in your daily life. You have thought about how to accommodate prayer time and Bible-reading time in your routine (whether you do it at the same time or not doesn’t matter).
However, always allow yourself a few minutes before reading the Bible to pray and ask God to open your eyes and your heart to receive His Word.
What we want to focus on today is something that goes hand-in-hand with reading the Word: meditating on the Word of God.
When you read and meditate on the Word, what does that actually mean?
John Piper describes it this way: The word “meditation” in Hebrew means basically to speak or to mutter. When this is done in the heart it is called musing or meditation. So meditating on the Word of God day and night means to speak to yourself the Word of God day and night and to speak to yourself about it.
How good is that! Speak the Word of God day and night and talk to yourself about it.
Have you ever had moments when you read and it seemed like nothing was happening? Then in other circumstances, the only thing that kept you going was a Bible verse that came from your heart to your mind, that you were able to speak over your situation?
When you read the Bible, be available and open to allow it to sink in your heart. The Holy Spirit will use that opportunity to fill your heart in the perfect moment for you to receive the Word or share it with others.
Memorise scripture. Not for repetition, but to allow the Word of God to transform you, as when you speak there won’t be anything but the Word of God coming out of your lips.
When you read the Bible, read enough that you are still able to meditate on it all day and all night. Share what you read with others. If something stands out for you – even if it seems simple – share it with those around you, and you will notice how it starts to move from your mind down to your heart. You will see that as you share it, it will bring life to you and others.
When you read the Bible, write down what God speaks to you. Write down the things you don’t understand and the things that stand out to you most. Keep talking to God during the day, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what is in there that will bring revelation and transformation in your life or others. Let Him speak to you in His perfect time, but make sure you are open and receptive to hearing his answer.
Bible Verses
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates [hagah] day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
“My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.”
“Oh, How I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your status.”
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
