The Gift of God’s Word
As I sit in my office and ponder the great honor of writing the first SBC blog of 2020, coupled with the privilege of writing about whatever is on my heart, I look to my right at four large canvases on my wall.
I had them made five years ago, and each is filled with my favorite Scriptures. I have one full of my favorite Psalms and another with Old Testament passages that have shaped who I am today. I have a canvas highlighting the Gospels and one made up of New Testament verses that have particularly impacted me over the years.
In the few free moments I have throughout the day, I love to lean back in my chair and just take in the Word of God. I’m ever aware that it’s not just office décor adorning my wall—because the Word of God is one of the greatest gifts God has given His children.
Aside from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, there is nothing greater than the Word of God. It is full of truth, conviction, passion and love from the God of the Universe to His children. What a gift we hold in our hands! What greater investment could we possibly make in this life than to spend time wrestling with the Truth of the God Almighty?
It’s a new year—time for new beginnings, new starts, new hope. And, as we usher in a new decade, what might it look like to allow the Word of God to guide us like never before? If we are honest with ourselves, what else could possibly be more life changing than the Wisdom of God, meditated on day and night. But, alas, the enemy is crafty and fills our heads with excuses, hearts of discontentment, busy schedules, NFL playoffs, and distractions from every direction.
Dream with me for a moment about what it would look like for this next season if we were able to quiet our souls for a moment and spend some time in this precious book that is the Holy Bible. And as a side note—my lack of discipline means that for me it has to be the physical book because my phone is far too distracting if I’m trying to spend time thinking through Scripture!
So here is the challenge—start. Just start today. Try this—make it your goal to read through the Book of Psalms by Easter. Sit down with the truth of God’s Word, study His character, highlight your favorite passages, write them down in a notebook (but don’t feel compelled to become a journaler if it’s just not your style). Spend time thinking about what the Psalms tell us about who God is and about how He loves His sons and daughters. Wrestle with the emotion expressed in Psalm 13; think about the truth of Psalm 139; don’t get overwhelmed by Psalm 119, but instead see it for what it is and the picture it paints about the truth of God. Meditate each day on what God is stirring in your soul.
One word of caution—if your life is too busy or your head is too full to allow the Wisdom of God in, then the enemy has already won. Don’t let him! Rise to the challenge of slowing down this year and allowing God to do what only He can do—change our hearts through the power of His Word.
And a final word of encouragement—remember one of our other greatest gifts and spend a few moments each day inviting the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and your heart to God’s Wisdom. The Holy Spirit is our “Helper” and the revealer of truth, so invite Him to show you God’s Word in a new way. Then, begin a new decade with a new commitment to know Him and be known by Him in the relationship you were always meant to have with your God who made you and loves you infinitely. Happy New Year!
“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joint and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12
