I have written in another post about my love for reading the Bible. However, I have to confess that I sometimes get so caught up with reading that I fail to slow down and really listen to what is being said. In those times I am not really engaging with the Lord, or allowing Him to engage with me. What is the solution?
Meditation
1 Blessed is the manwho walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1 – 3
Those who delight in God’s Word will not be content to simply read it. They will seek to really listen to what the Bible is saying to them. The purpose of this listening is not to simply gain more information. They are listening to the Scriptures with a view to really understanding their message so it can be applied to their lives. This is what meditation is all about.
The Results
The result of listening to and applying God’s Word is living in a state of perpetual renewal. The renewal comes from their lives being progressively conformed to God’s Word. Besides that, God’s favor also rests on their endeavors. This is due to the fact that they conduct their affairs according to God’s good pleasure. All of this and more comes from taking the time to actually listen to the Word of God and not just read.
Slow Down
I don’t know about you, but I want to slow down in my reading of the Bible. I want to give the Lord the opportunity to open my understanding to what He is really trying to say. I want His thoughts to flood my life on a whole new level. After all, listening to God is a chief part of living in the Reign.
M
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Living in the Reign 