“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
—Psalm 1:1-3
Sometimes, as Christians grow in their faith, they think they no longer need to read the Bible as much as they used to. But that isn’t true. We need to read the Bible every day. We should start the day with it. We should end the day with it. Psalm 1 tells us, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (verses 1–2 NLT). The psalmist goes on to say, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verse 3 NLT).
If you want to be a happy person, read the Word of God. Meditate on it. In Eastern meditation, people seek to empty their minds. But in biblical meditation, we fill our minds with the Word of God. This is how we will grow spiritually. This is how we will be able to resist temptation. Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word” (NLT). We stay pure by listening to what the Word of God says.
The apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT).
We need to read the Bible every day because success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible we get into our lives on a regular basis and how obedient we are to it. So, read the Word. Memorize the Word. Treasure the Word. I’ve never met a strong Christian who isn’t full of Scripture.