Living By Faith Blog

It happens

After all, the powers of darkness are working overtime to keep us from God’s Word.

But the good news is that — through Christ — God will strengthen our motivation for God’s Word.

Where motivation comes from

Not from trying harder — or accountability — or putting Bible-reading in our schedule.

Those can help.  But by themselves — they miss the motivation God has for us.

God’s motivation

Obedience comes from faith.  That’s repeated throughout Hebrews 11 — Heb 11:7, 8, 9, 17, 24-25, 26-27, 28, 29, 31.

So when I lack motivation to read God’s Word — the problem is with my faith.  At that moment I’m not trusting what God has promised about His Word.

But if I will humble myself before Jesus Christ, ask Him to strengthen my faith, and set my heart on those promises, He will strengthen my faith in those promises — and I will want to read God’s Word.

Let’s try it

Start by humbling yourself before Jesus Christ.  Trust that as you come to Him by faith He will love you, help you, cleanse you, forgive you — and motivate you (Heb 4:16).

Ask Him to strengthen your faith (Mark 9:24).  Ask Him to enlighten your eyes so you feel the truth of God’s promises (Eph 1:17-18).

And then prayerfully set your heart on some of God’s promises about the Word — like these —

Psalm 19:7 — the Word will revive your soul

The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

God’s heart-reviving work flows through the pipeline of His Word.  So no matter how unspiritual we feel, when we prayerfully read God’s Word, in time we will experience God changing our hearts.

Psalm 119:105 — the Word will light your path

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

We are on a path and it’s pitch dark.  We’re not sure which way to go.  But God has given us a flashlight — His Word.  Opening God’s Word is like clicking on the flashlight — which gives us light to find the way.

John 8:31-32 — the Word will free from sin

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Picture sin as chains padlocked to you and wrapped around you.  Jesus promises that whenever you abide in His Word another padlock will spring open, and another length of chain will fall off.

Romans 10:17 — the Word will strengthen faith

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Often my faith feels like a flat bike tire.  But opening God’s Word is like fastening a tire pump to a flat tire — and praying over God’s Word is like pumping air into the tire.

Psalm 19:10 — the Word gives us what’s most valuable and satisfying

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

What if reading God’s Word brought you $100,000?  Or felt as good as eating a banana split?  The psalmist tells us it’s even better than that.  Because God is infinitely more valuable and satisfying — and we meet Him most powerfully in His Word.

What happened?

Did you pray over these promises?  Did you feel the Holy Spirit changing your heart, strengthening your faith, motivating your Bible-reading?

If so, leave a reply below and let me know.  If not — let me know that, too.  And keep persevering.  In time, God will change our hearts as we pray earnestly over God’s Word (Psa 40:1-3).

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And here’s more on how God motivates our obedience.

(Picture by yenhoon at stock xchng.)