479. Just Reading the Bible?

“Do you remember,” Stan began, “when we talked about how I used to rush through the Bible, reading a chapter in both the Old and New Testaments each day?”

“I do,” I replied.  “Somebody gave you a book that, in essence, told you to slow down.”  [Note to Reader:  See Posting Number 18, ”What’s The Hurry?]

“That’s right,” Stan said, “and I was reminded of that again this morning when I started going through the Book of Psalms.”

“How so?” I asked.

“At the very beginning of the Book of Psalms,” Stan replied, “it speaks of the person who meditates on God’s law as being blessed.”

Continuing, he said, “And I think there is a whole world of difference between just reading the Bible, and truly meditating on what it has to say.”

“Read.  Meditate.  What’s the difference?” I asked.

“The difference is between head and heart,” Stan replied.  “If I am just reading the Bible without really taking the time to allow the Holy Spirit to open me to focus on what the Word of God has to say to me, it’s just going into my head, and I am apt to forget what I have read.”

“However,” he continued, “if I truly meditate on God’s word and allow its truth to penetrate, it will go into my heart, into the essence of my being, and it will make a lasting difference in my relationship with God.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Stan added, “reading the Bible is a very good thing.  I am just saying that, for me, when I meditate on what I’m reading, it’s a whole lot better.”

“But,” I responded, “sometimes when I am reading the Bible, my mind wanders and I don’t really understand what I’m reading.”

“Been there, done that,” Stan said.  “I have to give it to the Holy Spirit.  Each day, when I open my Bible, the first thing I do is to ask the Holy Spirit to open me to see what He has for me to take into my heart. What blessing does He have for me today?”

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How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  Psalms 1:1, 2.

“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put my law within them, and on their hearts I will write it; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”  Jeremiah 31:33.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, that you have given your Word, the Bible, so that I can know you.  Thank you, too, that you gave your Son, Christ Jesus, who described Himself as the Word, so I can have life eternally with you when it is time, along with the eternal life of knowing you and Him on this side of eternity.  Thank you also for the Holy Spirit who is in me to lead me into the depth of your Word.  I confess that too often I merely glance at your Word, rather than focusing as you intend.  I read, rather than meditate.  Please forgive me.  And please, Father, open me to want to meditate on all you have for me in your Word, as well as in the life that you have for me.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1.  What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.  What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?

3.  What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.  Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.