I have a beautiful script decal in my home office that says, “Be still, and know that I am God, Psalm 46:10.” I wish I could say that this memory runs through me while I work at my desk at work, but sadly, it doesn’t…
If you’ve peeked into my office lately, you’ll see me working hard and going over personal matters. It’s hard to imagine sitting still and knowing, “God got this.”
How about a casual day? You’ll find me going, going, going. They never seem to sit still! And I retired! I could easily make time to at least sit and relax, but I don’t allow myself that.
Does any of these scenarios apply to you? It doesn’t have to be exactly like mine, but you get the gist. In today’s world, it’s hard to just be still, let alone be still before the Lord…
If we bring Him into our busy days, we will find that even though we are in constant motion, our hearts become still and “rest” in Him.
Let’s look at three simple ways to meditate on scripture throughout the day.
Don’t Overcomplicate Reading the Bible
“The unfolding of your words gives light and gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130
Many of us feel overwhelmed when faced with a big task. For me, that means packing for a vacation. To help me feel less overwhelmed, I sit down a week in advance and make a few lists, breaking down my packing categories into manageable parts. Once these lists are complete, your fears will go away. On packing day, I go through the items and check each item as I put them in my luggage.
I think we can sometimes approach the Bible this way. We may look at this very large book with many chapters and think, “How can I read it, let alone understand it all?” or we may become legalistic about how much we read the Bible, thinking that to be a good Christian we must read several chapters each day. But when we don’t have time to read that much, we don’t open a good book at all.
It doesn’t have to be that complicated. The Lord meets us where we are. Sure, it’s good to make reading the Bible a priority in your day, and reading at least one chapter will give you the context you need, but if you don’t have that kind of time, don’t stop reading God’s Word. There have been many times when the Lord has said a lot to me through just one verse. He has no words to reveal himself to you.
The first easy way to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day is to not overcomplicate how and when you read the Bible. No matter how little time you have or how little you read, you are feeding your soul with God’s Word. Once you say those words, they stay in your heart.
When we see the word “meditate,” we think it means having to sit in complete silence for a long time and memorize scripture. Meditating on God’s Word all day looks different. It’s as simple as remembering God’s Word and its gist and letting it work in you as it was intended. Will it soothe you, encourage you, strengthen you, or incriminate you? May the Lord speak to you throughout the day as you remember these life-giving words. It’s that easy!
Daily habits to ensure you read the Bible
“I rise before dawn to ask for help; I put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:147
Years ago, a friend of mine told me how long it takes him to open and read his Bible in the morning before his feet hit the ground. She knew that if she didn’t, the day would pass and she wouldn’t have time to read it later.
If you spend time reading the Word in the morning and do it consistently, you will begin to notice a change in your entire attitude throughout the day. At the end of the day, you will not be disappointed in yourself about how much you sinned that day, but rather you will realize that the sin that was bothering you has disappeared. And it wasn’t even a conscious effort on my part. It just happened!
One way to read the Bible first thing in the morning is to set your alarm early so you have time to read the Word. In full disclosure, when I tried this, I found that I still wasn’t fully awake and ended up falling asleep while reading, or my mind didn’t register what I was reading. But if you’re someone who wakes up in the morning with bright eyes and a bushy tail, this could be a great way to make sure you’ve read the Bible.
Another simple habit is to stop scrolling on your phone as soon as you wake up. If you are awake enough to retain what you consume on social media, then you are awake enough to read the Word, which means you are preaching to yourself right now.
A final strategy for those who are at a very busy time in their lives, whether it’s someone who has to beat early morning rush hour traffic, a young mother who has been up all night with a newborn baby, or a young mother who has to soothe her child each morning to get it ready for school, is to see it as an opportunity to read the Word when you sit down to eat breakfast or find some quiet time in the morning. Even if it’s just one verse, it stays with you throughout the rest of the day. I promise you, your attitude will change and it will show that you have meditated on God’s Word all day long.
Easy tools for meditating on God’s Word
“But the one who delights in the law of the Lord, and meditates on it day and night, is like a tree planted by streams of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; in all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3
When I became a new believer, I couldn’t fully understand God’s Word. But then my life got very busy. Not only did I start homeschooling my kids, but I also kept busy with my home health transcription job. I was getting frustrated because I didn’t have time to read the Bible. So I got creative and used the following tools to ensure that.
Even if it was just a verse, I still fed on the Word.
I placed one of my daily bible flipbooks in a prominent place to provide daily scripture for the year. Every time I passed by it, I read and thought about that verse.
During one season, I literally had a Bible in every room I entered. Yes, that included the bathroom, the only place her mother felt safe. lol. I read a verse or two and let it sink in.
A more recent discovery is a 365-day scripture journal that provides a daily scripture passage and a line to write down how the Lord is speaking to you through that passage. Perfect to keep on your bedside table for easy access when you wake up in the morning, read passages and write down quick insights. The act of writing embeds it in your mind so that you can carry it with you throughout the day.
Finally, while smartphones can be distracting at times, there are plenty of Bible apps that display the day’s scripture on your lock screen. Every time I look at my phone, I can read and reflect on that day’s scripture.
These tools will help you meditate on God’s Word throughout the day.
Father, help us to intentionally meditate on Your Word throughout the day. In the name of Jesus, amen.
What season of life are you in?
What is your approach to meditating on God’s Word throughout the day?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/miljko
Karen Dell Tattoo is a blogger, author, women’s ministry leader, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about God’s Word. Her blog, “Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge,” and her books, “Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry,” “A 30-Day Devotional,” and “Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal,” reveal her heart offering biblical insights to inspire women to grow in, through, and overcome hardship. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walking in the woods, petting owls, and spending time with their grandchildren.
