A Chore or an Opportunity?*

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, November 2022~Volume 2, Number 8

Quiet time with the Lord is so important. Yet sometimes, at least for me, it can be a chore instead of an opportunity. At times I wake up and think about what I need to do that day, and think “I’ll just read one Psalm, and that will be my Bible reading.” :( This special time with our heavenly Father is supposed to be an opportunity, not a chore to get through the day. Our hearts must be in the right place! 

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 God gave us the Bible that we might be instructed in righteousness. And all of it was inspired by Him. We know it is true, and of course beneficial.
 
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 The man is blessed because he delights spending time in God’s Word! We do not want to be like a tree that never bears fruit. We want to bear fruit. We want others to see Jesus in us! We want all we do to prosper. This pleases the Lord!
 
Not only are we supposed to read the Bible every day, but we are supposed to have those words in our minds. We are to build our lives around these precious words that God inspired for us to live by. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:7
 
A few years ago, my brother and I were talking about how important it is to spend time in the Word each day. I was telling him how much smoother my days go when I start my day in the Bible. I am more aware of doing what is right, and am more cheerful. A week or so after our discussion, we were arguing about something. In the middle of it, he asked what I thought of as a surprising question. “Tiffany, have you had your quiet time today?”  I was stunned. “Yes, why?” I answered him. “Because you said that when you start your day off with the Lord, your day goes much smoother, and you are more aware of doing right.”
 
That sure was an eye opener! Yes, I had my quiet time that day, but did I apply what I learned? Did I truly have my quiet time? Or was I falling asleep as I had my quiet time? I need to take what I read and use it. I need to use the words God gave me that day and seek a way to apply them. The other day we received a paper in the mail that said on the front, “Is your quiet time too quiet?” It showed a picture of a man falling asleep at a table with a Bible in front of him. I laughed. I commented to Mommy, “No, our quiet time can never be too quiet at our house.” :)
 
Now, what did this paper really mean? Do the words in your Bible not seem to make sense, or, sometimes we don’t seem to put our hearts into what we’re reading. Example—my mind is on the sewing project I’m working on while I’m also reading the words of my Bible. It sounds difficult, but unfortunately, I am afraid that anyone can do this if they want to: school science text, etc. :(
 
In order for the Bible to be an opportunity, we must enjoy reading it and enjoy applying it to our lives…. There have been mornings when I just don’t feel like reading the Word, but when I just get it out and take some time to read the Scripture, I find it so interesting and so exciting, that I just don’t want to put it down!
 
There are lots of practical ways to apply what you read in God’s Word….
 

• Take Notes! My brother likes to do a “report” (a small page of information) on each book or chapter of the Bible he reads. That way, if he skims right through it, or has his mind on something besides the words he is reading, he will have to re-read that chapter.
• Memorize it! Yes, this can be difficult, and it definitely takes plenty of time. Yet, it is so wonderful to have these awesome words of wisdom in our mind. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119: 105 The Word lights our path; it is so important to have it written on our hearts all of the time. You never know when you may need to share a Scripture reference with someone. What if you don’t have a Bible? Christ used Scripture when the devil tempted Him in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)
• Share it! Share what you have learned with others, and truly keep your focus on improving in that specific area. “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:” James 1:22-23
• Accountability! Have one of your family members or friends hold you accountable. Tell them you are planning to read _____ book of the Bible. You want to try to finish it in ____ amount of time. Have them tell you what they are working on as well. Then, keep up with it and with each other.

  
Matthew 4:4 “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This was one of the verses Christ used when being tempted by the devil. How true! In order to truly have a full, deep relationship with our Lord, we must spend time in His Word. It would be like having a pen pal, but never reading her letters. You wouldn’t really know her, right? It’s the same with God. We need to read the Letter He gave to us, and we need to spend time talking to Him in prayer.
 
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12 “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:7-8
 
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4  Jesus said that “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house on a rock.” Matthew 7:24 
 
How can we be like the wise man? We build our lives on the everlasting foundation: the Rock, God. How? By reading and meditating on His Instructions. I have seen a t-shirt with a picture of a Bible on it that says, “When all else fails, read the Instructions!” Very true. But what about reading the Instructions before all else fails?! :) Reading them before will lessen the likelihood of all failing.
   
When Jesus was twelve years old, He and His parents attended the Passover. They could not find Him after searching for days. Where had He been? He was listening and learning God’s Word. He was not doing this as a chore, but as an opportunity!
 
Psalm 119 is a beautiful chapter full of verses on God’s precious Word. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O Lord: teach me Thy statutes.” Psalm 119:9-12
 
Sisters, I am going to pray for you, and I hope you will do the same for me. I pray that we view this Letter not as a chore, but as a wonderful opportunity!
 
“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy Word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”—Psalm 119:97-104