Is it really so important to read God's Word? Don't we know enough; have we not heard enough through the years?
It’s the same as asking if it is really so important to eat? Have we not eaten enough? For our natural body it is not enough only to eat once in a while, for example once every Sunday. We would be starving! In the same way it is extremely necessary and important to nourish ourselves with the Word of God every day, so we can grow stronger in our spirit, in a healthy way, according to the will of God. Otherwise we will soon suffer from spiritual malnutrition and start showing signs of spiritual sicknesses.
God’s Word is a necessity
Think about Job’s attitude in the Old Testament. In Job 23:12 (NLT) he says, “… I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.” No wonder Job was the man that he was! How is our hunger for God's Word? It should be that we need God’s Word above all else.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12 (NLT). By nature we want to hold on to our own will, desires, and interests. That is why we need God’s Word to show us that there is nothing worth holding on to in our sinful human nature. (Romans 7:18.) The Word of God can give us the help that we need to say No to our sinful lusts and desires, and to change.
It is only through God’s Word that we can learn God’s will and plan for our lives – that which is pleasing to God. God’s Word is the help we need to overcome sin and to escape the corruption that comes from following our sinful desires. How can we learn to do that without the instructions that can only be found in the Bible? If we obey what is written in the Bible, we are changed and prepared for the kingdom of God – which is the whole purpose of why we are here on this earth.
The Psalms often speak of a longing for God's laws: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105. With God's Word in our heart to lead us, we find direction and guidance to an eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Choices
But maybe you say, “Life is so busy; I don't have much time to read.” But if we are honest with ourselves, we know it is a matter of priority! We make time for what is important to us. How much time do we spend on our phone, on our computer, or playing video games, etc.? But when the Spirit reminds us to spend time with God's Word, it seems like too much work. “I’m too tired.” Or we suddenly remember something “more important” that we need to do.
Satan can make anything sound reasonable. He will use any trick or excuse to stop us from reading God’s Word. He doesn’t want us to get to know God’s heart or find God’s will for our life. That way he can more easily fool us and deceive us into living for ourselves and never coming to a life with God. In this way he can control our lives, even if we never realise it.
It isn’t that hobbies or other activities are “bad”, but it’s a matter of setting the right priorities and making the right choices. Time is precious, and we need to make sure that we are using it to our greatest benefit.
Buying time
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV).
In the German translation of the Bible, the second part is written as “buy out the time because the days are evil.” When we buy something, it costs us something, we need to pay for it with something that is precious to us. It could be that we have to give up something in order to get to know God’s Word. It may be that we have to sacrifice something in order to make the right choices about our priorities.
But if we are faithful to do so, then it won’t be long before we get a ”hunger” for God’s Word. The more we read God’s Word, the more we want to read; the more we pray, the more we want to pray. We hunger and thirst for it more and more. We see that we need it; we need God’s Word to battle against our lusts so we can live a life that is pleasing to God. We need the comfort and encouragement in God’s Word to lift our eyes and see our eternal future.
Time is our life! Let us make conscious, wise decisions to use our time right, to prepare ourselves for eternity in the kingdom of God. We have been given a free will to choose our priorities, but with it also comes a great responsibility. Let us choose to nourish ourselves with God's Word and it will benefit us for all eternity.
