This morning, I casually rolled through my news feed. It could have ruined my day. I was quickly faced with accounts of shortages, hoarding, and other disheartening tales. I read varying opinions on social distancing and sheltering at home. The most discouraging things were charts and graphs laying out the projected rates the virus might spread, complete with projected hospitalizations and deaths. It was like a tidal wave of despair. It made me sick.

And, then I remembered the sermon I had preached just the day before. “We need to hear the voice of God. The single greatest thing we can do during these days is spend inordinate amounts of time in God’s Word.” My words! Ha! How quickly we do forget.

So, I opened my Bible, took a deep breath, asked God to speak, and started to read. Sure enough, line by line, the light began to break through. Not a mask to cover reality, but the Truth by which to interpret it.

5 Things that Happen When You are in God’s Word

As we spend time in God’s Word, the doubts that cause worry and anxiety are replaced with the Truth. Where the world says all hope is lost, God’s Word reminds us the Anchor holds. Where the world says we are spinning out of control, God’s Word says He is certainly in control. Where the world says to panic, God’s Word says trust Him.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…” Colossians 3:15-16

When you are sure of God’s character, you learn you can trust His heart. If you know what God has done in the past, you become confident you can trust Him in the future. Those two realities are the basis of a strong faith. And, both of those realities are multiplied when you are in God’s Word. In fact, I’m not sure of any other way that happens. Simply, to grow a faith prepared for all days, and especially these days, pour yourself into the Word of God.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

A big part of our fear and worry in these days comes from the fact that we are not sure exactly what to do. If we knew certain next steps, or if there were a sign proclaiming, “Do this! And, then do that!” we would feel a lot better. We could get to moving. The good news is God’s Word directs our next steps. In it, He tells us how to respond, how to walk, even how to think about these troubling times. In His grace and through His Word, we can confidently move forward in His will.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

I remember the saying from my computer programming class, “Garbage in, garbage out.” It held that you can’t input incorrect information and expect to have a good outcome. The same is exactly true of our minds. In these days, we are overrun with the world’s logic, the world’s perspective, and the world’s gloom. We need a reset button. God’s Word is that button. As we read it, we gain God’s wisdom, perspective, and guidance. More than that, we gain His hope. Maybe our biggest need today is that hope. God’s Word will renew our minds. Praise the Lord!

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2

Get this great truth: God’s Word blesses our lives. It is not a grouping of legalistic commands we must keep in drudgery. It is not an outdated book of rules meant to appease some far-off god. It is not a standard we cannot keep. No! It actually is the best way to live! It is the best way to avoid trouble. It is the best way to enjoy peace. It is the best way to live in hope and happiness. And, God, in His grace, intended it that way. Friend, be sure, in these strange days, as in all days, God’s Word blesses our lives.

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.” Psalm 119:2

My hope is that, in these peculiar and difficult days, the value of holding God’s Word becomes clearer to us. My prayer is that the treasure of having His peace, His record, His wisdom, His direction, His blessings will drive us to God’s Word again and again. In this day with so many voices, we need to hear the voice of God.