Spending time in His word
O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. Psalm 78:1-6 It is baffling to find out why so many Christians will live their Christian life without reading their Bible, the word of God. There are those contented with infrequent glimpses of God’s word thinking that they can get by with life with minimal amount of time spent reading His word. From the text, God is commanding His people to not take for granted His word but to provide diligence studying of His word. It is by recalling God’s actions in the past in the life of His people recorded in His word that a follower of God would find guidance, wisdom, and warnings. In Deuteronomy 32, when the Israelites were at the edge of reaching the Promised Land, God commanded them to review His past dealings with them by recalling His words to them. “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River” (v. 47). God is reminding them that their parents did not enter the Promised Land because they did not believe God’s word. The new generation of Israelites that entered the Promised Land realized that they cannot ignore God’s word, for in them they find the meaning and purpose of their lives. So prominent is the word of God that they have to teach their children diligently and to regularly talk to them in their homes discussing about God and His word (see also Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Your respect in the word of God is manifested both in your words and in your actions. Your heart condition will testify to how much time you devote in reading His word. When you neglect spending time in His word, you open yourself to temptation and reveal your heart condition. To listen to God’s word and obey His instructions is the best way to experience God and His working in your life.
Blessings,
