When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20
The book of Deuteronomy was written long before the nation of Israel would have a king. But God in his divine wisdom knew that the day would come. So he offers these words of instruction to Moses to be passed down from generation to generation for the time when the first king would be appointed.
The final word of instruction is for the the king to write on the scroll a copy of the law. He is then to read this copy on a daily basis to learn to “revere” the Lord and to obey everything that is said. At the end God holds out a promise that if the king does this, he will be successful and God will prosper him.
Here is what I noticed. First, the king is told not just to read the scroll, but to write down the scroll. For many years I was in the habit of reading the Bible. In the last year I have started journaling. This has made a big difference in the application of God’s Word in my life. I had never journaled before, because I didn’t really understand what journaling was. In my mind, journaling wasn’t much different than writing a personal diary. That did not seem very exciting for me. The turning point for me was reading The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro. It helped me to understand for the first time what journaling was. Since then I have taken to the practice and it has been very beneficial for me. Not am I just reading the Word, but I am taking away more practical application.
Another thing the king is told is to keep a copy of the scroll with him. We live in a day an age where it is easy to have the Word of God with us all the time. I recently did a review of a number of iPhone Bible apps. My iPhone is with me all the time, so that means I always have the Bible with me. Many of us carry around similar electronic devices that we can literally take the Word wherever we go. However, we should not be content just to know that we can always look something up. Your iPhone battery might die. You might drop it and break it. There is not guarantee that the written Words on a page or computer screen will always be with us. So carrying the Bible with us is no substitute for placing the Word on our heart and committing it to memory.
The third thing is to read it. Its not just enough to possess the word, but we need to open it up or turn on the screen and read it. The king is instructed to read it every day. Did you catch that. He is instructed to read that everyday. Not just some days. Not just on the days that you are feeling down and need a word of encouragement. Not just when you are looking for answers. But everyday.
I am no king. But I am a leader at Lord of Life. I am the head of my family. I have tremendous influence over other people. I may not influence as many people as the king, but nevertheless I have a tremendous influence over many people. No doubt you have influence over others as well. It might be only one or two people, but we all have influence.
I remember in seminary a professor telling our class that as pastors we should know the Bible better than anyone in our congregation. I have taken that to heart. It is sort of what God is saying here to the king. The king should know the Word better than anyone else in the kingdom. He needs to live and breathe the Word that nothing he does is apart from the Word.
What separates those who are instructed in the Word and those who are not is not brainpower. The only difference is a matter of time. Those who are instructed have simply spent time at the feet of the Savior listening to him. There is nothing keeping you from being proficient and effective in the Word other than time spent.
So have you opened the word yet? If not why don’t you shut off the computer and open it up. Or if you don’t want to turn off the computer screen, then check out www.youversion.com or www.biblegateway.com.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
