Just as physical food is necessary to maintain a strong and healthy body a steady diet of spiritual food is needed to keep our relationship with Jesus vibrant and growing. And the best place I know of to get this spiritual manna each day is from the reading of the Scriptures.
George Mueller, the great man of faith and prayer, understood the need to be constantly reading the Bible, in order to supply us with daily spiritual nutrients, when he said: “Now what is food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God; and here again, not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water passes through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering it over and applying it to our hearts.”1
Daily Bible reading for the Christian is not some optional good idea but an essential spiritual discipline that all sincere believers should relish as much as a fine steak dinner. And just as we take time to savor a good meal, we need to follow the prescription of George Mueller and consider what we read, ponder what we read, and apply what we read, not only to our minds, but to our hearts. There is just no substitute for taking the time to allow the Word of God to become part of our daily activities. But just casually reading the Scriptures is not enough. We need to read our Bible with a purpose and that purpose is to help us fall more in love with Jesus, discover God’s will for our life, and fill our hearts to overflowing with peace and joy.
My friends, as a Christian, the next time to read the Bible ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the words you are reading to both your heart and mind. I like the word that George Mueller used in relationship to reading the Scriptures. He tells us to ponder what we are reading. To me this implies that we mull over what we are reading and view each passage of the Word with a desire to know the mind of Christ. Some other words we should use when we read the Bible are to cherish and treasure what we are reading.
The Bible is not just another book, but it is God’s main way of communicating with us. Are you like the psalmist who once proclaimed: “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Psalm 119:162), or do you approach Bible reading as just another Christian duty. Duty or delight – just how do you approach the Word? The next time you open your Bible why not ask God to supply you with delight and to fill you to overflowing with the joy of the Lord! I guarantee that if you take the time to slowly read each verse of Scripture with an attitude of expecting God to speak to you – you won’t be disappointed.