Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

How to Grow Spiritually – (2) Read God’s Word

Psalm 1 “Blessed is the one .. whose delight is in the law of the LORD and who meditates on his law day and night.”

There are three Psalms which highlight the value of meditating on God’s Word – and they are numerically easy to remember – Psalm 1, 19 and 119.  When they say “law”, the Hebrew is “Torah” which is what the Jews call the first five books of the Old Testament. It was what existed of the Bible at the time of David. It includes the Law given through Moses, but also reflects the “law” of the way God operates.

It is possible to skim read God’s Word and gain a quick overview. But the emphasis of the above verse is to plunge its depths in meditation. Meditation is when we allow time to chew on God’s Word, think it over, hear what God is saying.

Here are a few reasons to meditate on God’s Word:

  • It is your heavenly Father’s letter to us (2 Timothy 3v16)
  • It is profitable for you spiritually (2 Timothy 3v16-17)
  • It tells you how to be saved (2 Timothy 3v15)
  • It equips you for good works (2 Timothy 3 v17)
  • It gives you eyewitness accounts of Jesus (2 Peter 1v16, Luke 1v1-4)
  • It is less a man-made book, and more a Spirit-breathed book (2 Peter 1v20-21)
  • Obedience to it gives you spiritual success (Joshua 1v7-8)
  • Meditation on it keeps you from evil and enables you to prosper (Psalm 1)
  • It revives your soul (Psalm 19v7)
  • It gives you wisdom and guidance in daily life (Psalm 19v7, Psalm 119v105)

No wonder the Psalmist writes “The laws of the Lord … are more precious that gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey.” (Psalm 19v10).

At Hope we seek to base all our teaching on God’s Word; we seek to explain it and apply it. We want to encourage you too to read God’s Word daily for yourself. Not in a superficial way, but a way that seeks to understand it, apply it and obey it. It takes discipline and hard work, but find a way that works for you. Because “In keeping them there is great reward” Psalm 19v11.

Most simply is (i) to ask God to speak to you; (ii) read a passage a couple of times; (iii) ask questions of the passage (eg what does God say in this passage about himself and about people?); (iv) pray back to God what you have understood him say which may be a thank you or a please.

May God lead you in spiritual growth and maturity this year,

With love and blessing,

Roland