Reading the Bible on a daily basis can be excruciating. If you are one of those people who just choose to read the bible, just for the sake of reading it, because it’s what you are supposed to do – than you won’t accomplish much. It will be something just to pass the time. Something you do out of habit. Or something you do, just to fulfill your church duties.
But meditating on God’s Word is a different story…
I was one of those people who just read the Bible. I thought that was all I had to do to be in God’s good graces. Every Sunday, our Pastor would say to read, search and study the Bible so we would know that the preached word was true. But meditating on God’s word – I just didn’t quite understand.
Like me, too many Christians don’t truly understand the difference. We like to think that just reading God’s word is all that’s required of us. But God says in Psalm 1:2-3
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
So what does meditate mean?
Dictionary.com’s definition is to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect. Those who meditate on God’s word are those who think seriously about what they’re reading. They read the word and reflect on its actual meaning and apply it to their lives. In a sense they are asking God to speak to them and teach them the depth of its meaning.
Meditating verses reading God’s word, brings forth great results. God tells you that once you learn to meditate or engage in His word, then growth comes – just as a strong tree is planted and grows – producing much fruit. That fruit is God’s love and power that grows inside you.
The more fruit you produce, the more is shared into the world. And the more that’s shared into the world – the more we all start looking like Jesus! I still have a lot to learn. There are many scriptures that I have to read more than once to understand. But once I ask God to clarify His Word – He does! And the more I meditate, the clearer it gets.
So just remember, it’s not enough to just read, we must engage. We must apply. Then we must share….
Question: Do you just read or truly meditate? How can you get better?
Be blessed,
Wanda
I am a publisher, author, speaker, youth Sunday school teacher, wife & mother. My goal is for you to be able to read, hear, trust and apply the word of God to your daily lives, so you can live the life that God intended for you to live today!
