“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8 emphasis added).
Until just a few months ago, I could count the number of times I had read my Bible in the past several years on one hand. Sure, I had read it when I needed to look something up or when I was doing a group Bible study. But even then, I would cram that week-long Bible study lesson into the couple days before our meeting. The saddest thing is that if someone had asked me what the most important book in the world is, I would have said, without having to think for a second, the Bible. So why was I spending so little time reading something I had such easy access to? “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12).
School has started and most of us are already covered in assignments and activities. We know that they are important and that they have to be done. Studying God’s Word is so much more important for our lives, but it often doesn’t get done. Why? Because no one is forcing us to do it. How could I leave the most important book in the world on the shelf to collect dust? Or worse yet, not even remember where I left it.
And that’s when I was challenged. The woman in my Wednesday night ladies’ class didn’t even know she was challenging me. She simply shared that, with the exception of a few times, she had read her Bible daily for almost 20 years. She said that she started doing it when she had little children. She would read first thing in the morning before they woke up. She said that with all the life going on the rest of the day, it was so important to her to give God the very first part of her day. Having two little boys of my own, I was amazed at how she could find the time. But I was also convicted that I needed to make that time for myself and God. Not because anyone was forcing me or checking up on me, but because I needed it in my life. How could I not desire to spend time with my Creator and Savior?! Why would I pass up that opportunity? So that I could do something as non-eternal as watching HGTV or reading a book?
And so, I made a commitment that I would start first thing in the morning the next day. And I did. I will admit, it definitely took some discipline at first. Not only would I have to get up a little earlier, but I’d have to go to bed a little earlier so that my mind would be fresh the next morning. I know that some of you are not morning people, and that you’d like to read your Bible at night. Although I think that spending time in God’s Word is important regardless the time of day, there is something so wonderful about being with Him at the beginning of my day. And somehow, if I don’t spend the first part of my day with Him, the day is suddenly gone and I’m too tired to focus on any time with Him.
Like I said, it takes discipline. But I knew that if I disciplined myself to do it, it would become a desire. And it is. I love spending time with God and His Word. I know that it is one of the most important things I can do. And so I challenge you to discipline yourself to study the Bible––you will soon desire it! Even spending just 15 minutes a day can be so refreshing and rewarding. “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). It should be easy enough to make that much time in our schedules. It is a sad thing if we can’t even make 15 minutes to spend with God in the 24-hour day that God Himself created.
Look at your schedule, re-prioritize your activities if need be, and make Bible study a discipline that you will soon desire!
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long….I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path” (Psalm 119:97–104)
“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word“ (Psalm 119:16 emphasis added).
By Lisa Grimenstein
Lisa,
Your artical is excellent. . The longer you continue to study
God’s Word, the more you will grow. You will soon find yourself
spending even more time every day studying, and praying. I’m sure you find your days going better, since you are studying every day. Keep up the good work.
I hope everyone who reads your article will take your advice.
Thank you for inspiring me. I’ve been reading my Bible more regularly since reading your article, and this is the fifth day in a row I’ve read in the morning. You are right that the morning is the best time to give to God!
I’d love for you to give study suggestions in the near future. Do you read certain books of the Bible, or do you study certain topics? Do you pray first or afterwords? Do you read the Bible through systematically or do you skip around? Do you have a certain place you like to read or does that even matter? What does a person need to know in order to begin studying on her own when she grew up knowing the stories, but hasn’t read all of them for herself?
Thank you for being an inspiration. My spiritual life is improving because of it.