“Blessed indeed is the man …
Whose delight is the law of the LORD,
And who ponders his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1,2)
In other words: You will be truly happy, and you will flourish even when times get tough, if you spend 24/7 filling yourself with God’s word, thinking about what it means, and letting it inform and form you. (Read the rest of the Psalm to see where I get all of that).
Seriously? 24/7? How?
Here are some things I find helpful:
Ten ways to keep the Word in your heart
1. Build a habit of daily reading.
Just like you make time for meals or your daily workout: make it a priority. Feed your soul daily with God’s word.
2. Pray before you read and after.
Work Scripture into your own prayer, make it your own. Let it become part of a conversation with the Lord so he speaks through it to you. It will become more “real” and a part of your life.
3. Read out loud.
Not all of it, necessarily, but the things that strike you. It will help you make them your own.
4. Keep a journal.
Use it first to copy out the Word itself. Choose something you want to remember, write it down with the reference, then write it in your own words. Underline what stands out. Circle key words. The act of writing will help you concentrate and penetrate the meaning and will help it stick in your mind.
5. Learn it by heart.
Memorizing Scripture plants it within us so we can call it up when we need it. Use note cards. Repetition. Sing it! Whatever it takes.
6. Put it where you can see it.
God told the Israelites to write his word on the doorposts of their homes and on their gates, to bind it on their hands and between their eyes (Deut 6:8-9). Out of sight, out of mind!
7. Choose a “verse of the week”…
…or a verse of the day or the year. Work it into your goals or a new year’s resolution.
8. Do what it says.
As Jesus said — blessed are those who hear the word and keep it! (Luke 11:28)
9. Don’t keep it to yourself.
The more you share it, the more it will be yours.
10. Read the Bible before bed.
Let God’s word be the last thing on your mind before sleep, so it can work within you.
Finally, in the words of St. Paul: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).
God bless you as you read his word!
© 2021 Sarah Christmyer.
You may also like:
Thank you. This helps me ,as lately, I feel like I am not growing in my faith and love of God.
Thank you so much for this. It is exactly what I need today, and every day.
I just love these 10 recommendations. For years I have taken notes in church. Because it helped me pay attention and you remember more of what you write down than what you just hear. Love the C.R.O.S.S. series too!
Happy fall to you Sarah from South Carolina,
Toni