June 8

Nourishment through the Word

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word . . . of God” (Luke 4:4).
“I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

Now all the athletic Christians—all those who can carry heavy loads, do thorough work and stand a long pull—are hungry feeders on God’s Book. Nothing will impart sinew and muscle to your piety like the thorough study and digestion of your Bible. A good sermon must be digested or it will be of little use to you, and your daily bread of the Bible must go through the same process in order that it may be assimilated and taken into your spiritual fiber. “Thy words were found and I did eat them, and they were the joy of mine heart,” said the old-time saint.
Every growing Christian is a ruminating animal. He chews Bible truth and nutritious sermons and wholesome books and other such provender as the cow cheweth her cud. One strong Bible text lodged in the memory, and turned over and over and well digested, will be a breakfast for your soul, and in the strength of it you go through the whole day.

A soldier is never in so good trim for battle as after a sound sleep and a square morning meal. It is not easy to fight or to march on an empty stomach. In like manner, every servant of Jesus Christ must recruit his or her spiritual strength by reading Christ’s words, and thinking about them, by meditation, by prayer and soul converse with God. Martin Luther, in the thick of his campaigns with the Pope and the devil, said that he could not get on without two good hours each day for his private devotions. I have always observed that the light readers and light thinkers make light Christians, and those who neglect their Bibles and their closets soon dwindle into dwarfs. Having no depth of root their religion withers away.
—Theodore Cuyler.

Most people give their bodies about ten hours a day in eating, and drinking, and dressing, and sleeping, and maybe a few minutes to their souls. We ought to give at least one solid hour every day to restful, loving devotion with Jesus over our open Bible, for the refreshing, developing and strengthening of our spiritual life. If we would do this, God would have an opportunity to teach, correct, inspire, and comfort us, reveal His secrets to us, and make spiritual giants of us. If we will not do this, we shall surely be spiritual weaklings all our days, however we may wish to be strong.
—Samuel Logan Brengle.

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