BY DAVE STEEL
From time to time, we all need to be reminded just how crucial it is to read and reflect on the Scriptures as disciples of Jesus. In case it’s been a while since you’ve thought about it, here are a dozen reasons to meditate often on the Word of God. Let these thoughts stoke your desire to live for Christ.
1. To meditate on the Scriptures is to listen to the voice of God.
All Scripture is God-breathed . . . (2 Tim. 3:16)
Prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:21)
The Bible is no ordinary book. If you’re fortunate enough to have a copy, you can read the words of God himself!
2. To meditate on the Scriptures is to embrace what is right and true.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Ps. 33:4)
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)
What is truth? Only by squarely facing this question can we live well. Jesus said that the Bible is truth.
3. To meditate on the Scriptures is to reveal the true state of your heart.
The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
Don’t be surprised if you start becoming more honest with yourself when you take time to reflect on Scripture. That’s what it’s supposed to do.
4. To meditate on the Scriptures is to invite God’s blessing into your life.
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. (Josh. 1:8)
For a Christ follower, the obedient life and the successful life our bound together. Meditating on the Scriptures in order to obey what it says is a formula for true success.
5. To meditate on the Scriptures is to equip yourself to resist sin.
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (Ps. 119:9)
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Ps. 119:11)
How will you keep your heart from being stained by the evil of this world and by your own sinful desires? Scripture keeps us on the right path.
6. To meditate on the Scriptures is to build your life on bedrock.
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matt. 7:24-25)
How will you prepare for the storms of life? Meditate on the Scriptures and you’ll be shoring up your foundation to withstand whatever comes your way.
7. To meditate on the Scriptures is to anchor your life in what’s reliable and enduring.
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. (Ps. 119:89)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matt. 24:35)
Want to leave an enduring legacy? Scripture will teach you how to live for what lasts.
8. To meditate on the Scriptures is to feed your spiritual growth.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Pet. 2:2)
When an infant’s growth is stunted due to lack of nutrition, doctors call it “failure to thrive.” Tragically, this also happens in the spiritual realm when we neglect God’s Word.
9. To meditate on the Scriptures is to shine a light on where you’re going.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Ps. 119:105)
Have you ever felt like you were in a dark cave, confused and unable to see the way forward? That’s when the Bible becomes a headlamp.
10. To meditate on the Scriptures is to be trained to serve God well.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Meditating on Scripture forges our character and trains us in the ways of God.
11. To meditate on the Scriptures is to fight the good fight.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17)
The Bible is the one offensive weapon God gave us to fight off those unseen forces that would discourage and destroy us. We must learn to wield it skillfully.
12. To meditate on the Scriptures is to be a faithful conduit of God’s truth.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
Being a faithful disciple of Jesus includes sharing with others what he’s teaching us. This requires careful listening and learning on our part, which is another reason we meditate on God’s Word.
There are a dozen reasons to meditate on the Scriptures often. Can you think of some others?