Years ago, as a new Christian, my mentor often asked, “How’s your relationship with God?” Initially, I was confused. I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I felt my response should be profound and “churchy.” I gotta say, the question made me uncomfortable. Sometimes it still does, but as I grew in my walk with Jesus, I understood what was being asked: “Are you taking time to meet with God?”
Interestingly, many Christians believe that Sunday morning service is enough to get them through the week, but honestly, Sunday is for Sunday. Like the manna God provided to the Israelites in the wilderness, each day’s manna was meant for that day alone. When the people tried to hoard it, thinking they could store it up for the future, they quickly discovered that by the next day, the manna had spoiled and was filled with maggots. God was teaching His people a crucial lesson: to rely on Him day-by-day, step-by-step. They had to trust God to provide for their daily needs, but they were also responsible for going out and gathering that nourishment each morning.
This story is more than ancient history; it’s a beautiful picture of how we, too, are called to depend on God daily. Just as the Israelites needed physical sustenance, we need spiritual nourishment—something only God’s Word can provide. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The Scriptures are our spiritual manna, and we must come to them daily to find strength, wisdom, and encouragement.
Why is daily time in the Word so vital?
1. God’s Word Gives Life and Direction
Just as the manna sustained the Israelites physically, God’s Word sustains us spiritually. It gives life, light, and direction for each day. When we neglect to spend time in Scripture, it’s like skipping a meal—our spiritual hunger grows, and we become weak, directionless, and easily led astray. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Without it, we walk in darkness, missing out on the guidance God longs to give us.
2. Daily Dependence on God
God wants us to rely on Him each day, not just occasionally. Just as the Israelites couldn’t store up manna for the future, we cannot live off spiritual experiences or revelations from yesterday. God desires a fresh, daily relationship with us. He has new mercies, new insights, and new strength for us each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). The only way to receive these is by coming to Him daily in His Word.
3. The Power to Overcome Challenges
In the wilderness, the Israelites faced numerous challenges—harsh conditions, fear, and uncertainty—yet the daily manna enabled them to keep going. Likewise, life often feels like a spiritual wilderness, full of trials and temptations. When we meet with God daily, His Word equips us to face these challenges with courage and faith. Ephesians 6:17 reminds us that the Word of God is the “sword of the Spirit,” a powerful weapon against the enemy’s attacks. As Priscilla Shirer points out in her study The Armor of God, “The sword of the Spirit is the only piece of armor that is offensive in nature. It’s used not only to defend but to strike against the enemy. We must use it intentionally and precisely, just like Jesus did in the wilderness.”
4. Growth and Maturity
Just as physical food helps our bodies grow and mature, the Word of God helps us grow spiritually. Hebrews 5:14 talks about mature believers being able to “distinguish good from evil” because they regularly feed on solid spiritual food. Daily time in Scripture deepens our knowledge of God, helps us discern His will, and transforms us into the likeness of Christ.
5. Becoming Better Disciples
Daily Bible study is foundational to becoming more faithful disciples of Jesus. A disciple’s life is marked by constant learning, transformation, and devotion to God. To be a disciple of God, you must develop a romance for the Word of God. Falling in love with God’s Word is essential to discipleship. It’s in the pages of Scripture that we come to know God’s heart, hear His voice, and learn what it means to follow Jesus more closely. As our love for the Word grows, so does our desire to live in obedience and reflect Christ’s character to the world.
By embracing this “romance” with Scripture, we become more attuned to God’s will and more eager to apply His truth in our lives. Just as a romantic relationship needs nurturing through time spent together, so our discipleship flourishes when we cultivate a deep affection and reverence for God’s Word every day.
But how does reading Scripture regularly really impact our lives? Recently, I listened to a sermon by Josh Howerton, a young pastor from a church in Texas. In his sermon, he mentioned a study on the effectiveness of daily Bible reading and found that reading it once a week showed no change, and reading two to three times a week produced negligible change. However, those who engaged with the Bible four or more times a week experienced significant spiritual growth. These individuals were:
- 228% more likely to share their faith with others,
- 407% more likely to memorize Scripture,
- 59% less likely to view pornography, and
- 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
This data is a powerful reminder that regularly immersing ourselves in God’s Word profoundly shapes our walk with Christ, making us better disciples equipped to live out our faith and resist the world’s temptations.
6. A Daily Decision for Life or Destruction
It’s important to remember that daily Bible reading is not just a spiritual discipline but a critical decision between life and destruction. You see, God has a plan to bless your life through His Word. Satan has a plan to destroy your life, and it’s in the world. You get to decide.
This daily decision—whether we choose to feed on the Word of God or allow the distractions and temptations of the world to shape us—determines the course of our spiritual journey. Each time we open the Bible, we are choosing life, growth, and God’s perfect will for us. Each time we neglect it, we become more vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes.
Conclusion
Friends, your life will change when the Word, not the world, becomes a priority. I’d even go as far as to say you will experience God more deeply!
So, I’ll ask you, how’s your relationship with God?
Blessings to you as you lean in and meet with Him daily.
