Bible Medicine

Going back to Scripture again and again is like taking a daily dose of medicine the Great Physician prescribes: we need God’s Word today, and we’ll need it again tomorrow.  And the next day.  Why is this?

Because we drift.  We’re like our homes—things eventually wear out:  deck rails, stairway bannisters, garbage disposals, light switches, rugs, weather stripping…  You have to keep up on home maint­enance!

So too, we need to give daily attention to our spiritual upkeep.  In our fallen nature, we’re prone to lose our focus over time and be drawn away from the Lord by all those other “gods” clamoring for worship.  Our sin-slanted hearts are bent inward on self, and any such turn is always away from Christ.  And the result is soul sickness.

All of this to say:  You can’t make it on yesterday’s spiritual nourish­ment.  You can’t stand up against the Enemy’s schemes by leaning on all you learned back in the good old days.  Whether medicine or food or home maintenance, the theme here is ongoing, regular upkeep.

In fact, God’s Word is our survival.  As Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).  So let me ask:  Are you getting a good, steady diet of soul food in Scripture?  If not, what’s stopping you?

If you’re like me, you can get thrown off by yielding too much mental space to the incessant, blaring noise of agenda-beholden, politically charged “news.”  And it’s like a black hole:  The more you turn to the news (whether via cable channels or social media) to “learn what you need to know,” the more you get pulled further away from the heart-calming, soul-restoring, joy-giving voice of the Lord.

So for your own well-being and peace and spiritual health, and for the good of those who are closest to you, and for the effectiveness of your witness in this troubled world, and for the honor of Christ the King, get yourself in front of the Bible daily, away from distraction, and be fed!  Read out loud if it helps.  Read and discuss along with family members.  Read with the aid of a study Bible or commentary to address the questions that come up.  Today as much as ever, you need God’s good gift of his gospel truth, and you need it daily.