The Word as Part of Our Life

How big a part of your life is the Word of God? Do you regularly read and study the Bible? Do you think seriously about the Word? How it impacts you? Its implications in the world and in life? Do you pray for understanding as you read? We could call all of these things “meditating” on the Word.

As for me, I may have had a little more exposure to Biblical things than average. I’m not a scholar. I’ve simply been around the block a few times, so to speak. I’ve had the opportunity to read and study a lot over the years. God has given me the opportunity to lead and teach as well. Still, meditating on God’s Word is something I’m committed to doing more of in 2024. No matter where we are in life, God has something new and fresh to show us in His Word.

Perhaps it is obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: We can’t really know God without knowing His Word. Yes, God reveals Himself in other ways. He reveals Himself through His creation (see Rom 1:20) and through our own conscience, for example (see Rom 2:14-15). But He reveals Himself clearly through His Word, the Bible. Over and over and in many different ways. Here’s an example proclaiming His majesty and might:

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty…

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,

mightier than the breakers of the sea—

the Lord on high is mighty. (Psa 93:1,4)

In addition to knowing God in a more personal way and understanding who He is, knowing God’s Word makes us successful people. The Psalmist tells us, “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night” (Psa 1:1-2). And the writer continues by explaining that in doing this we are like a “tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers” (Psa 1:3). A pretty big deal.

We don’t have time in this short post to fully discuss what it means to prosper, as the psalmist says. But, if we read, study, and meditate on the Word, we can learn what it means to prosper. In reality, the scripture teaches and leads us in every area of our lives since “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (1 Tim 2:16).

Naturally, as a result of seriously spending time in the Word, we become familiar with it. We begin to recall scripture, whether from intentional memorization or broad familiarity, when we need it. What a blessing that is. In fact, I can tell you with confidence, we should be familiar enough with scripture so that it helps and encourages us in our daily life. Otherwise, we are missing out on an important part of our Christian life.

Maybe you’ve read the book God’s Underground or saw the movie Tortured for Christ about the life of Richard Wurmbrand. In it he describes his thoughts as he was captured in communist Romania:

“I knew that I faced questioning, ill-treatment, possibly years of imprisonment and death, and I wondered if my faith was strong enough. I remembered then that in the Bible it is written 366 times—once for every day of the year—"Don't be afraid!": 366 times, not merely 365, to account for Leap Year. And this [the day of my arrest] was February 29—a coincidence which told me I need not fear!” ⁽¹⁾  

What came to mind for Wurmbrand in a very difficult time? The scripture! The scripture gave him comfort and reminded him “do not be afraid.” And the comfort came when it was needed the most. This same comfort is available to us when the Word is part of our life.

Not only that, but being familiar with the scripture is invaluable when we have the opportunity to share our faith with others. And not just in the obvious ways of sharing the specifics about conversion (as important as that is). Imagine the impact when you are able to say something like, “I have really found what the Bible says is true, that ‘Nothing can separate me from the love of God’” (Rom 8:38) when sharing your faith. Or maybe someone you are talking to is just feeling that they aren’t good enough for Jesus. Picture yourself saying something like, “I know what you mean my friend, I have felt the same way. In fact, even Paul the apostle felt the same way because he said, ‘I am the worst among all sinners’ (1 Tim 1:15)”.

The truth is, making God’s Word an integral part of our life changes everything. It changes how we see and understand God. It changes how we live our lives. And it changes how we interact and impact the lives of others around us.

So, as I said, I’m committed to making the Word a big part of my life in 2024. I want to draw closer to God and understand more how He wants me to serve Him. I pray that He reveals Himself to me in new ways. Perhaps, even in a scripture I’ve read many times before. Will you join me?

⁽¹⁾  Richard Wurmbrand, In God’s Underground (Bartlesville, OK: Living Sacrifice Book Company, 1968), p. 6.

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