The Scriptures are God’s love letter to His people. He wants us to know Him and to know how much He loves us, but we’ll never realize this wondrous love until we devote ourselves to daily reading of God’s Word. Today’s excerpt from The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart is found on pages 71 and 72:

“From the beginning, God intended His Word to be heard and understood by all His people. Especially after their deliverance from Egypt, the people of Israel were expected to let the Word of God dwell richly within them, as individuals and as a people. Parents were commanded to teach their children. Judges were to use the Word to encourage justice and neighbor-love in all their communities. The nation of Israel was to gather every seven years for a mass public reading of the Law of God. Good kings like Josiah published the Word of God in all cities of the land.

“In the New Testament, the Berean Christians were commended because they searched the Scriptures daily, thus reflecting what had become the practice among faithful Jews in every age.

“Paul exhorted the young Timothy to make public reading of God’s Word a high priority, and not just on Sunday. Following Paul’s own example, the Word would be read every day, in large gatherings and small, in public places and private homes. It would be discussed and talked about by Christians as often as they came together to encourage one another in love and good works.

“And if there had been printed copies of the Word available for every person in Paul’s day, I’m sure he would have exhorted Timothy to make sure every believer had his own Bible, knew how to read it, and read it faithfully, day after day.

“The living Word of God will not begin to dwell in us richly until we make daily reading of Scripture an indispensable discipline for our everyday lives. Only by daily poring over the Word of God can the Sword of the Spirit penetrate our souls to do its transforming work.”

For reflection or discussion
1. For you, what’s the most important part about your time reading the Word of God?

2. How do you experience God’s love for you as you are reading His Word?

When the Word of God is dwelling richly within us our thoughts turn more often to Him and His will, our desires and longings begin to point more toward Him, and our values and choices bring more of His promises into our daily experience. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly; ramp up your daily reading and study of His Word. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to encourage one another in your time in the Word. Your copy of The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart awaits you as a free PDF download at The Ailbe Bookstore.

T. M. Moore

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