This year’s theme is “God First,” and this quarter we are looking at scriptures that reinforce our own relationship with God. Hands down, the best way to get closer to God is to spend time with Him in the scriptures. Hebrews tells us that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV). Because it is the living word of God, “no creature is hidden from his sight” (vs. 13) and we must all give an account before God.
The word of God is not meant to expose, but to direct us toward the heart of God. It shows us where we are wrong and points us to what is right. It instructs us how to treat our fellow man and care for those in need. It shapes our heart and marks out the course of our life, both on earth and our eternal life. God’s word points us to Jesus. Without regular reading, we not only become Bible illiterate, we also lose our connection with God.
Psalm 119:10-11 says, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Wow! Do we read our Bibles every day with that much passion and conviction?