When I first became a Christian the Word of God became the Living Word (Heb 4:12-13). There is no other way to explain it than God’s Word became words of life. Every time I opened the Bible, the words would jump off the pages and stirred a fire in my heart (Jer 20: 9, Lk 24:32). I had never experienced anything like that before.
In fact, I had to stop reading the Bible a few hours before I slept because it would keep me up all night. My heart would be so convicted and filled with wonder that it would keep me up for hours. The stories of the Bible would replay over and over in my mind, and my heart would burn with so much passion that I had to pray, “God, please help me sleep! I need to sleep to go to school, so please shut my mind off!” So after a few months, I learned that I had to read the Bible earlier in the day so I could get some sleep at night.
Sometimes during school, I couldn’t wait until class would end so that I could run home to open the Bible and meet with God. That was it. I realize now what made reading God’s Word so intimate, powerful and life changing was that I read God’s Word to meet with Him. Not to know more about Him or to gain more knowledge to teach others, but literally to meet with Him.
What made reading God’s Word so intimate was that I read to meet with Him Click To Tweet
I wasn’t reading God’s Word because that was what I was told to do. I wasn’t reading God’s Word to check off a to-do list. I wasn’t reading God’s Word to feel better about myself. No. I was reading God’s Word to meet with my God.
This is what makes the difference between someone who encounters the God of the Bible and someone who merely reads the Bible. The one who falls in love with God’s Word is the one who loves God Himself (Ps 119:54; 97; 103-14). Each word, verse, passage and story allows this individual to see His glory, wonder and majesty.
There's a difference between encountering the God of the Bible and merely reading the Bible Click To Tweet
This is why when we come to God’s Word we must approach it as if we are going on a date with our Beloved. We must turn off our phones, computers and all other distractions to gaze upon the beauty of who He is! We must set a time and place apart to meet with Him in His Word.
I want to encourage you today. Reading God’s Word might be the most important thing you do today. In fact, it might be the most important thing you do for the rest of your life. I pray and challenge you to meet Him in His Word.
Find a time. Find a place. Find a moment in your day to set everything else aside and put God at the center of your heart. Before you jump into His Word, pray. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes, heart and ears to receive His Word. May God be made known to you today!
