As a Christian radio broadcaster, I get to encourage listeners by presenting truths from God’s Word, and—in the process—I’m also encouraged and built up in my faith. Berni Dymet, a broadcaster, author, and speaker, recently tweeted that he’d recorded a number of radio messages and that he’d been ministered to as he read the Word of God out loud. Hearing God’s Word is a powerful antidote to the very real struggles of everyday life.
Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and reigned in Jerusalem (2 Kings 22:1). He came from a line of kings who had often wandered away from God and His commands, including his own father. After many years, the high priest Hilkiah found the lost Book of the Law in the temple. He dusted it off and read it to a servant of the king who in turn read it to King Josiah. On hearing the words of the Book of the Law, the king tore his robes and renewed his covenant with God (2 Kings 22:11, 2 Kings 23:3).
When the people of Judah heard the king read the words of the Book of the Covenant and saw him renew his vow to the Lord, they also pledged to follow the Lord and keep His commands (2 Kings 23:3). For the first time in many years, King Josiah ordered the people to celebrate Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23); and he tore down and destroyed the false idols, shrines, and all other detestable things across the land (2 Kings 23:24).
King Josiah’s change of heart was so dramatic in fact, that neither before nor after was there a king who turned to the Lord as he did (2 Kings 23:25). But it all started with hearing the Word of God and responding to it.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 7:32-53
More:
Read Romans 10:17 and see how your faith is built up as you take in the Word of God.
Next:
Build your faith by confessing and praying some of the promises and the principles in the Bible out loud regarding your life and your circumstances. How will you respond to what God has been teaching you in His Word?
Gary Shultz on July 28, 2014 at 7:39 am
I so agree. The word is like God’s breath to our soul. I’m sure each person has ways to make the word close to them. I find careful re-reading helps me, after I read a section six to ten times I see a lot more than first brush. Thank you.
Wayne on July 28, 2014 at 8:08 am
I feel like for me, reading God’s word through each year really strengthens my spirit !
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on July 28, 2014 at 9:23 am
When I read my Bible, there is a lot I don’t understand and yet I know God is using it in a powerful way to teach me more about Him and I also would agree that it definitely strengthens me.
I also love to read the Psalms out loud and really hear those words in addition to seeing them on the page.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on July 28, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Gary, Wayne and Kathy. I have found reading God’s Word out loud so helpful in building my faith. Romans 10:17 says, “so faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Kathy, I also love reading the Psalms out loud, making them personal – between me and the Lord.
Winn Collier on July 30, 2014 at 3:09 pm
One of my favorite moments of worship in our church is the public reading of Scripture, the careful and methodical walk through the Scriptures, to simply hear it and sit under it.