Something that really grows my faith is that Scripture points to our reality. The writings in the Bible aren’t vague ideas and wishful thinking, but they directly connect to our lives. This is the case because the Bible was written by regular people (yet inspired by God), to regular people like you and me at real places and times in history where God spoke and worked.
Many blogs could be written just on the different ways the Bible connects with our everyday lives, but in this blog, I want to focus on one general idea: Not only does the Bible connect to our daily lives, but reading and meditating on the Bible is good for your general well-being as a person.
We recently had a chapel speaker at JCCS talk about the ways that reading the Bible regularly is good for your overall health and well-being, not just for followers of Jesus, but also anyone. He shared some of his own research and put it in a way that was so helpful to our students. Just reading the Bible four days a week has tremendous benefits to your spiritual, mental, emotional and even physical health. I won’t try to quote everything he said, but it was very eye-opening!
His message got me thinking about different Scriptures that speak to that truth. With that in mind, I want to share some from Proverbs (although there are many more I could share), that speak to that very reality, along with some notes about each from my study Bible. Pay close attention to the italicized words in the verses.
Proverbs 3:
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (v. 1-2)
“To have well-being is to be healthy, free from threat or need, and thus fulfilled, content, prosperous, and at peace in a way that only God can grant.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (v. 5-8)
“To trust anything or anyone other than the Lord results in disaster. Body and bones stand for the entire person.”
Happy is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. (v. 13-18)
“This poem praising wisdom begins and ends with the word happy. To be happy is to discover the good life that the Creator intended.”
My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (v. 21-24)
“Wisdom is the key to life – a full life now and eternal life in the future – because it is anchored in the fear of the Lord and it includes practical advice.”
Proverbs 4:
Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. (v. 10-11)
“The son is exhorted to hold on to the good and warned not even to try the bad. Quantity and quality of life are the incentives.”
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. (v. 20-22)
“In Hebrew, the heart is the location of knowledge and also the preconscious source of decisions. Your heart is who you are, the ‘true you’ that directs all your thoughts and emotions. The inclination of your heart directs your mortal life and determines whether you enter eternal life.”
The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, passes down wisdom to his son and others. This wisdom not only came from daily walking with the Lord in faith, but also meditating on the Bible that they had. During this time period, all they had was the former Old Testament Scriptures, yet that was more than enough for them. What God gave them was sufficient for their relationship with Him and well-being. By the way, we now have the entire Bible in our hands. How much more should this be truth of us?
If you paid close attention, you noticed a pattern in these verses. Meditating on God’s Word was and still is, good for our well-being. Healing, peace, nourishment, wisdom, sleep, happiness and years of life are a by-product of meditating on God’s wisdom. Our outer lives and directly impacted by our inner lives.
Now, does this mean we won’t endure suffering and trials? ABSOLUTELY NOT! In fact, the Bible promises we will because until Christ returns, we wrestle with sin. Yet in the midst of this struggle, not only are we growing and maturing, but we are kept and held by Him. Even in the midst of the hardest times of life, we are secure. We don’t have to panic! The abundant life is given to us now, as we await the resurrection and eternal life to come.
So, what now?
Ultimately, God is sovereign and in control of our lives. We may think we have control, but we really don’t. The wise thing for us to do is to submit to Him and trust His ways, even when it doesn’t make sense. We can’t go wrong with reading and meditating on His Word and falling back on Him, not our own strength.
A new year is a great opportunity for each of us to reflect and evaluate. Then, to pray for God’s wisdom and grace on how we can better love and trust His Word for our good and well-being.
Grace & Peace to you, and Happy New Year!
Matthew Weaver 