Day and Night
A 2017 survey found that 46% of Americans check their email or social media on their phone before getting out of bed in the morning. Another survey found that 25% of people said their phone was the last thing they looked at before going to sleep, and 93% of people sleep with their phone within arm’s reach. Where do you fall in these categories? What’s the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?
The first 3 verses of the first Psalm describe people who study God’s word day and night.
“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. 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)
The Scriptures were written in a very agrarian culture and, as such, there are many plant metaphors throughout them. A tree planted by the riverbank has an endless supply of water; the tree is always filled with life because it is constantly being fed the water that it needs to live. In Jeremiah 2, God is described as living water; Jesus called himself living water, so we are like the tree by the riverbank when we study the Word of God day and night because we get an endless supply of Him, the living water—and, as such, we will bear much fruit each season. What is the fruit we will bear if we study the Scriptures day and night?
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23)
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT)
We are in the midst of a constant battle between our sinful nature and the nature of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives, which are the weapons we use against our sinful nature. We can strengthen the Spirit and help grow these fruit when we study the Scriptures day and night, and we will prosper in all we do when we dedicate our lives to Christ.
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
“Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.” (1 Kings 2:3)
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)
When we study the Word of God day and night, we strengthen the Holy Spirit within us to aid in our battle against our sinful natures, we are taught what is true, we see what is wrong in our lives, we are corrected, we learn the right things to do, and we are prepared and equipped to do every good work. Make it a habit to read from the Bible every morning and every night. Make the Word of God the first and last thing you fill yourself with, not emails and social media posts. Bookend your day with the Word of God and see how it impacts your entire life.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
