Nourishment For The Soul

– Ponderings:

It’s Happy World Book Day (among several others, according to Google, including Slay a Dragon Day, which doesn’t seem very relevant to me). In celebration, I feel like I should go to a bookstore and buy a book. There’s a surprise!

In one of my favorite John Wesley quotes, he said: “It cannot be that people should grow in grace unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people.” He also said, “Reading Christians are growing Christians. When Christians cease to read, they cease to grow.” On the other hand, he also warned against being “swallowed up” in books and neglecting to love others.

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked … but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.

In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3).

In each of us, there is a deep need for something steady, something eternal that grounds us in truth. Scripture is that anchor. It’s not just a collection of ancient writings, but the living breath of God that speaks into our hearts.

The psalmist paints a picture of a person who delights in the word of the Lord. What sets this person apart? A rhythm of meditating on God’s Word “day and night.” Not merely reading it out of duty, but delighting in it. Turning it over in the mind. Carrying it into the quiet of the early morning and the hush of the night.

Meditating on Scripture is like nourishment for the soul. It means reading with intention, reflecting with honesty, and allowing God’s truth to seep into every corner of our hearts. When we make this a habit, we’re not just informed—we’re transformed. Like a tree planted by streams of water, we are strong and healthy in our faith. Our roots go deep. Our leaves don’t wither. And even in hardship, we are sustained.

Maybe your schedule feels full and your soul feels thin. But even in five minutes of focused Scripture reading, God can speak volumes. Open your Bible. Ask God to reveal a message for you today. And choose to return, day and night, to the source of life.

Prayer: Lord, give me a hunger for your Word. Teach me to meditate on it throughout my day, and let your truth take root deep within me. Draw me ever closer to you. Amen.