Encouragement for Today

August 14, 2023 Meditate on God’s Word While You Work GLENNA MARSHALL Lee en español

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1 (ESV)

Have you ever had one of those extra-busy days when you don’t stop working from the moment you wake up until you go to bed?

I had a day like that recently. And as I turned out the light that night, it dawned on me that I had barely thought about Jesus since my quiet time early that morning. Immersed in my to-do list, I’d gone a full day without praying or thinking about what He might want.

It’s easy to walk away from your designated time of prayer and Bible reading without a backward glance. But I’ve learned there is a way to get through my to-do list and keep my heart and mind close to Jesus.

Meditating on Scripture is a spiritual discipline we can practice throughout the day, even when our hands are busy with urgent tasks. Thinking about God’s Word bridges the gap between our time studying His words and living them out.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). If you have believed in Jesus for salvation from your sins, you belong to Him. You are secure in His love, and your life is to be lived through Him and for Him. Every small, seemingly insignificant moment of your day belongs to Jesus. Staying connected to Him throughout the day will help you live your ordinary days with an eternal perspective.

But how can we stay connected to Christ in the middle of laundry, phone calls and deadlines? Paul tells us: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV). When we fill our hearts with God’s words, we can live focused on Christ in the here and now. Our to-do lists may be long and necessary, but Jesus is our very life (Colossians 3:4).

To set our minds on what is above, we must fill them to the brim with the good, true words of the Lord, returning to Scripture again and again. Tethering our minds to God’s Word roots us in eternity, anchors our hearts to our forever home with the Lord, and points others to hope in Christ.

One of the most practical ways we can do this is to memorize Scripture. It might seem intimidating, but it is doable and rewarding! Choose a passage of Scripture that turns your heart to God’s character and purposes. Write it out on a notecard, put it where you’ll see it throughout the day, and begin hiding the verses in your heart phrase by phrase. Utilize the moments in your day when your hands are busy but your mind isn’t.

You may have to tackle that to-do list, but you can set your mind on what is above by attaching your work to Scripture memorization — whispering God’s Word aloud to yourself over and over as you’re washing dishes, commuting to work, or folding a pile of laundry. Your ordinary moments are opportunities for delighting in God’s Word and staying connected to Him all day long.

Memorizing God’s Word is crucial for shaping how we live our lives here on earth because it changes how we think and respond. As you hide Scripture in your heart, you will become more and more like Jesus, the One who is your very life.

Father, thank You for making us Your own in Christ. As we meditate on and memorize Your Word, help us to flourish in faithfulness no matter what the day holds. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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If you want to learn how God’s Word can shape and form the way you live each day, check out Glenna Marshall’s new book, Memorizing Scripture: The Basics, Blessings, and Benefits of Meditating on God’s Word.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 1:2-3, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (ESV).

What does it look like to do everything in Jesus’ name, no matter how ordinary or mundane your “everything” might look?

How does delighting in God’s Word day and night keep our minds tethered to Him?

© 2023 by Glenna Marshall. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Moody Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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