HOW TO APPROACH GOD’S WORD

“And these WORDS which I command you today shall be in your heart” – Deuteronomy 6:6

The maximized, impactful Christian Life is hinged on learning HOW TO APPROACH GOD’S WORD: “And these WORDS which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut.6: 6-7). Verses 4-9 constitute the first part of the “Shema” – which is the most vital Old Testament passage for the Jews. The word “Shema” means to “hear” and it is the Hebrew word that begins the most important prayer in Judaism. It is the first scripture that every Jewish child commits to memory. It is also used to open every Jewish service and recited twice daily by faithful Jews.

Beyond committing this scripture to memory, it is even better to understand their depth and meaning in ways that we can apply them to our lives, and they can transform us as followers of Christ. Jesus confirms the significance of this scripture when He used it as the beginning of the answer to the greatest commandment question: “The first of all commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mk.12:29-31).

This is a call to committed and dedicated faith in every area of our lives, namely:

1. Whole-hearted, life-encompassing devotion to God (v.5): loving God with all our heart, soul, and might – our hands and what we do; our eyes and what we see; our ears and what we hear; our feet are where we go; and our mouth and what we speak!
2. Storing God’s Word in our hearts by meditating, with intent to obey (v.6). Ezra 7:10 says: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to SEEK the Law of the LORD, and to DO IT, and to TEACH statutes and ordinances in Israel.” James 1:21 admonishes: “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
3. Teaching God’s Word to our children (v.7): this is proof of the outflow of our love for God to those around us. It involves both formal teaching and informal mentoring – while sitting, walking, lying down, and rising. God’s Word must be the subject of conversation inside and outside the house, from dawn to dusk, and permeating every sphere of life.   
4. Continual reminder of the Word (vv.4-10): the Word of God is a critical component of our life that must consume every single part of our daily life and thoughts.

We must frequently read and meditate on scriptures: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates and night” (Psa.1:2). “I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds” (Psa.77:12).

We must frequently converse with others about God’s Word: “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name” (Mal.3:16).

We must frequently recall God’s Word to our thoughts: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa.119:97). Constantly recalling the word of God will mightily and powerfully change our hearts and thoughts.

We must practice writing scriptures down visually: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (v.9). We should write scriptures down wherever possible and where we spend most of our time. We can use a bible verse as computer or phone screen or apps that constantly remind us of the Word. We should utilise all means necessary to be reminded of the Word of God.