“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart…You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6, 9 ESV
I live in New England and the winters can be really tough, and by tough I mean freezing. On those days when the weather is unbearably cold, it is common place to bundled in a puffy winter coat, scarf, gloves, hat, earmuffs, and warm boots. Bostonians tend to dress appropriately for winter!!
Earlier this week, I came across this verse in Deuteronomy and it made me wonder have I covered myself in God’s Word? Am I dressed appropriately in the spiritual sense for the days of life on this earth?
We can dress appropriately for life by covering ourselves in God’s Word daily. Whether that’s reading your Bible, memorizing Scripture, searching for a particular topic of interest or situation you’re going through, there are real benefits to reading God’s Word.
Increase faith (Romans 10:17): When we hear the Word of God, our faith is increased because His Word reveals various attributes about His character (e.g. faithfulness, loving nature, gracious and merciful, etc.). By deepening our understanding of how God showed up in Biblical days and how He promises to show up for us now increases our ability to trust Him and believe.
Provide encouragement (Romans 15:4): Can we be real and just say that life can be hard? The truth of the matter is life has always been hard, even when the Word of God was written. The Bible is timeless and offers hope for any situation we may be facing.
Provide comfort (Psalm 119:50): Whether it’s the experience of grief from losing a loved one, the impact of loss from a relationship, unexpectedly losing work, feeling overwhelmed by work, or something different, we all need comfort. God’s word is rich of promises that can comfort our soul, and be our anchor in the time of a storm.
Cultivate peace and joy (Psalm 19:7-11): Sometimes in life we can get trapped in the routine of our day-to-day, so much so that we need a personal revival. Reading God’s Word can provide nourishment to our soul, develop a sense of peace and joy, and even provide wisdom in areas of life.
Experience freedom (John 17:17): God’s Word is often referred to as the truth. Knowing and applying His Word to your daily life can help you experience the fullness of life and all God has in store for you.
Combat spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:17): Whether facing temptation or going through a storm of life, God’s Word is described as a sword we can leverage to fight back and be victorious.
Just like you wouldn’t want to be out in the cold without a proper coat, don’t go through life without the special covering of God’s Word!
Reflection
In what ways can I most benefit from reading God’s Word? What prevents me from spending time in the Bible? How can I prioritize leveraging this precious resource?
Prayer
Lord, thanks for all the benefits found in Your Word. Forgive me of the times, I neglected to read the Bible. Help me to prioritize this spiritual practice so that I may learn more about You and receive Your instruction for my daily life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Dan Romero on Unsplash
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