“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.” —Joshua 1:8
The experts say that anyone can learn anything if she practices consistently with high-quality instruction. In fact, 99.9 percent of people who perform with excellence do so because they received high-quality instruction and have consistently practiced well.
In our culture, we typically practice the things we’re naturally able to do, but with Bible study, we must practice the thing we’re naturally unable to do.
If we practice Bible study—say, for ten high-quality minutes a day—we will rattle the walls of impossibility and improve. We’ll get our bearings within that big Book, we’ll learn the vocabulary, and we’ll gradually discover the everlasting pleasures tucked within those pages.
As we apply our hearts and minds to the hard work of learning how to study the Bible, we will soon join the Psalmist in saying, “I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and will meditate on your statutes” (Psalm 119:48). I’m sure of it.
Make it Personal
What goal could you set for yourself each day to help improve your study of God’s Word?