When I was in college and dating my future husband, we got to know each other through letters. I know that hardly anyone writes letters these days, but Harry and I would write to each other at least twice a week. I looked forward to getting the letters from him, the news that told me what he was doing and how things were going for him on his navy ship. We also talked to each other several times a week, in an era when there were no cell phones and every long distance call had a cost attached to it. Why were we so dedicated to this communication? Because we wanted to know each other better.

That is why I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading God’s Word and spending time talking to Him in prayer. God will always be a stranger to you if you don’t take the step to get to know Him. His Word is His love letter to us. Prayer is our long distance call to Him. Getting to know more about God and His character, His purpose for you and your life, the reason His sent Jesus…all are found between the pages of the Holy Bible. I hope that this is the year you become better acquainted with God. It doesn’t matter how many times I have read the Bible all the way through. Each time I read it again, I learn something new because His Spirit gives me new insight into God and His great love for me as well as into actions that I need to take to be the person He wants me to be. So, if you make resolutions, resolve to read the Bible daily. After all, it’s hard to love someone that you aren’t spending time getting to know.

Loving God’s Word

When we want to learn a new skill, we take care to learn everything we can about that subject.

Artists try different supplies and techniques to enhance their art. Musicians practice their music measure by measure, note by note, in order to memorize and perfect the song they are learning. Architects and engineers memorize and practice advanced math in order to design and build safe structures.

We give our time and minds to things so that we can use them well.

King David wanted to know God. He knew in order to know God, he would need to know God’s Word, because he knew that Scripture would keep him from sinning against God. He even wrote:

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
Psalm 119:15 ESV

This is a valuable lesson for us to learn as well: if we want to know God, to know Jesus, then we need to know God’s Word.

Just as we give our minds to the study of history or math, or we practice an instrument in order to play it well, we must also give our minds and time to knowing God’s Word. We should meditate on Scripture and fix our eyes on what Jesus has taught us. When we do this, we store up His wonderful Word in our hearts and it keeps us from sinning against Him.

We can know exactly what God wants and desires for us by reading Scripture.

His Word gives us boundaries, guidance, and direction. His Word shows His purposes and character. His Word reveals to us who He is, and we get to respond with joy and obedience. So today, what will you give your time to? In what ways will you store up God’s Word in your heart?