What a Privilege It Is To Be Able to Open God’s Word

I have been a Christian for over 20 years. I have read my Bible throughout my salvation, but being transparent, I had a hard time being consistent, and many times it felt like a task rather than a desire to read the Bible. Looking back, I did not always see what a privilege it is to be able to open God’s Word! Thank God for His mercy!

I was tired of feeling like reading my Bible was a task. I wanted so deeply to “want” to read my Bible and to have joy and a desire to be in God’s Word.

This is when I came across a few social media accounts that showed me how to dig deep in Bible study. I got hooked! God used different types of study methods to draw me into His Word. I found myself not getting enough, and I kept coming back to my Bible all throughout the day. It was like run to throw in laundry, get back to my Bible. Do dishes, get back to my Bible. Prep for dinner, back to my Bible! God was giving me such a desire for His Word. What’s more, my relationship with God was growing so strong! Someone who has been a Christian for a long time, yet God still is doing a new thing in me through the Bible!

Here is the thing though, I am still very much human!

I still deal with struggles, emotions, and mind battles. We are not promised a life free from trials and hardship, but we are promised God’s help, peace, and comfort. This is why I must stay in God’s Word daily. The enemy does not take a break from his attacks, so I must not take a break from fighting, and I fight with the Word of God!

The enemy tries to attack my mind with lies (as if this is a surprise!). But in one short chapter of the book of Ruth, God reminded me in His Word how He views me and the power of His Word!

Reading in the Every Woman’s Bible, in Ruth 1, Naomi’s and Ruth’s lives are turned upside down. In Ruth 2, we see Ruth’s determination as she “went out to gather grain. . . . And . . . she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz” (Ruth 2:3). In Ruth 2:8-9, Boaz says, “Stay right here. . . . And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

In Ruth 2:11, Boaz says, “But I also know about everything you have done. . . . I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.”

Boaz foreshadows Jesus, and as I read these words, God spoke to my heart saying “Judy, I know everything you have done. I know what you have left behind for me and what sacrifices you have made for me. I see you.” (Something I battle with at times is not seeing how God is using me, and it’s easy to forget how He has used me in the past and how He has given me strength to surrender to Him).

Ruth 2:13 has been my cry to God, “I hope I continue to please you!” Ruth says. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me.”

Jesus is the Living Water. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is speaking to us through His Word!

So what does Ruth do after she has been comforted and has had a drink of water? She goes back to work! (Ruth 2:15).

I love how this related so personally to me! Thank God that He speaks to us through His Story!