Archive - January 5, 2013

Like newborn infants, desire the unadulterated spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it in your salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. – 1 Peter 2:2-3 (HCSB)

A speaker once shared with us that he struggled to maintain a regular quiet time. So he made a decision – he would not eat physical food until he had taken in spiritual food, that is, his personal time reading the Word. There were days when he did not eat or drink until after noon.

One particularly hectic semester in college, I also failed to read the Bible as a part of my routine. This man’s testimony came to mind; so I tried it. But I learned quickly that if I miss breakfast, or merely delay it, I get light headed and nearly pass out. Clearly this plan was not meant for me.

So what has helped? I began to ask God to give me the desire to read His Word. I knew He would grant me this request. In fact, I knew that in answering it, my life would change. My desires would change. Watching tv became less alluring. Working on craft projects for hours seemed pointless. Once I started reading Scripture, I kept wanting to read more.

I first needed God’s help to hunger for His Word in the same way my stomach growls. I needed Him to show me what it felt like to have my soul parched. And how it felt to have it quenched. I needed to thirst for God’s Word like a deer thirsts for water.

Was reading God’s Word last year a priority for you? If so, keep it up! If not, what’s holding you back? Stop right now, turn off your computer, and ask God to change the desires of your heart. Ask Him to draw you into His Word. And then, go read it!