When you read the scriptures, do you have a longing to spend time in them? Do you have a yearning to get engrossed in the Bible’s text and feed on its message?
I feel as though the Bible is a treasure that I have only begun to tap. It represents the living word of God making it a “new life” testament from God that is alive and active. Through its words, it provides living waters of refreshing life to those who drink from its stream. Having faith in God’s word can be a challenge to anyone, but the Bible teaches us to spend time in it, learn its contents, and know its words. 2 Timothy 3:16 reads, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” and Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Learning God’s word takes time and requires a desire to get into it. With so many distractions that keep us from making that time happen, it takes training and requires practice. Some have said that 21 days of putting a practice into ones routine can help make it a habit. Whether that is true depends on the treasure you find in that practice. My thought is that when I do not see God’s word as the blessing that it is, then I have missed the treasure of wisdom and knowledge that God has given to all men.
Joel 3: 18 states, “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk;all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.”
When I read God’s word and remember that all scriptures point to Jesus as the ultimate gift that God has given, then I begin to get a taste of the living waters that God has for all. When I read about the teachings of Jesus and the words he spoke, then I can know the wisdom of God. When I read of the life and sacrifice that Jesus gave, then I can know the everlasting love of God. When I can read and believe in the resurrection of Christ, then I can know the grace and promise of eternal life that God has for those who have faith in Jesus.
Through the scriptures, we can find renewal of life and drink from its stream of living waters.
~Bob Stout
North Raleigh Church of Christ Ladies' Ministry 