Consider how I love Your precepts [Word]; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
Psalm 119:159
Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
Psalm 119:170

Why is it that when I ask believers how they are doing, or what the Lord is currently speaking to them about, the typical answer I get is, “I haven’t been in the Word much lately” (or something along those lines)? This is a deep concern to me as a pastor.

People who profess Christ seem to be, more often than not, floundering spiritually while at the same time they are not in the Word with any real consistency. Might there be a connection?

Dear saints, spiritual revival comes from the Word. Answers to prayer are found in the Word. We cannot assume that we can neglect consistent, systematic Bible reading and prosper spiritually, or receive answers to prayer.

If you are one who thinks that attending church on Sunday (some, or even all the time) is enough to sustain you spiritually and promote spiritual growth, you are sadly mistaken. We need to hear biblical preaching. But if biblical preaching is not supported by Bible reading (individually, with our spouses, and with our children), rather than be surprised by our spiritual dullness, we should expect it!

Listen: Read your Bible. Every day. Whether you feel like it or not. Whether you feel like you are getting anything out of it or not. If you are married to a believer, read your Bible out loud together at least a couple of times each week (if not daily). If you have children, read your Bible aloud to your family at least a couple of times a week (if not daily).

If you are not doing this or do not think you can, your problem is not that you are too busy. Your problem is a lack of desire. And that lack of desire, if not addressed, may be evidence that you do not know the Lord, because people who know the Lord love the Lord, and people who love the Lord love His Word. Please take this seriously.