God’s grace, love and power – Day 17

The psalmist writes that blessed are the people who delight in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night (Psalm 1:1). It is not good enough to only read the Bible and not reflect (meditate) on it.

To meditate is to read and ask yourself: What does this mean for my life? What does God want to say to me through this passage? Is there a promise that I can claim for myself? Is there a sin I need to confess? Is this a warning that I could practically use, daily? When one reads the Bible in this way, it is not an easy exercise! This way of reading brings something of a struggle, a battle with the text to discover the right meaning for your life.

It is almost like Jacob who wrestled with God and finally said: “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26). Read until the meaning is clear. Daniel was a civil servant with a lot of responsibilities and a busy schedule. He set three times aside, during the day, to spend time with God, because he realised the importance of his relationship with God (Daniel 6). Three times a day – not three minutes per day!

Meditate. Apply. Jesus said that the home (life) of someone who just listens to the Bible without having to do what it requires, collapses. When you read and apply, hear and do, then your home (life) will keep standing – even though the floodwaters and high winds may come. The foundation is on rock.