In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

Have you ever been in a conversation where the person just keeps talking, and you nod your head but don't get to respond? You sit there patiently as they ramble on, rarely pausing to breathe. You have thoughts and insights to share, but there's never a gap to jump in. By the end, they walk away feeling heard while you remain silent and unheard. This one-sided exchange hardly qualifies as a conversation. Yet, this is often how we approach our time with God's Word. I guess you know how God feels now, huh?

Devotional time is meant to be a dialogue, not a monologue. Many Christians approach Scripture as a task to complete rather than a conversation to enjoy. We read Bible passages like we scan emails, checking off chapters without letting them speak to our hearts. David's approach in Psalm 5 reveals something different—an expectant waiting after engaging with God's Word.

God designed Scripture reading as a two-way exchange. We race through Bible readings to check them off our list. We flip pages quickly, trying to reach the end of a chapter without letting the words sink deep. Biblical meditation—which means to ponder, reflect, and chew on God's Word—becomes replaced with hasty reading. True meditation isn't emptying our minds like Eastern practices teach. It's filling our minds with Scripture and thoughtfully considering its meaning.

The deepest relationships develop through genuine exchange. Think about your closest friendship. It likely formed through years of sharing thoughts, listening to each other, and responding with care. Our relationship with God through His Word operates by similar principles. We read what He says to us and then consider what it means. This balance creates spiritual intimacy that transforms our lives.

Jesus modeled this conversational approach to Scripture. He didn't just quote Bible verses mechanically when tempted in the wilderness. He engaged with Scripture deeply, applying it precisely to His situation. His devotional life wasn't about accumulating biblical knowledge but building a relationship with the Father through His Word. It was spending time with His Father. And we should too.

We often mistake information for transformation. Reading Bible verses can become a mechanical habit that changes little in our lives. Proper devotional time allows God's Word to speak to our situations and challenges. It moves beyond religious duty to heart-changing encounter with the living God through His written Word.

Learning to listen to Scripture is as important as reading it. This might mean reading a passage several times slowly, journaling your thoughts, or asking, "What are You saying to me through this text, Lord?" The insights rarely come through speed-reading. They often arrive as you sit with a verse, ponder its meaning, and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate its application to your life.

For years, I didn't know how to do personal devotions. I became a Christian at 14 years old. Part of being a "baby Christian" was reading your Bible daily. I took the only Bible we had in the house and started reading it. Afterwards, I closed it and prayed. Great! Checked that out of my list. Eventually, I started learning how to do devotional reading properly. But I would have saved time and experienced God more if someone had taught me how. And I'm glad you're taking personal steps to learn with us here today.

The quality of our engagement with Scripture shapes the quality of our faith. When we approach the Bible like a textbook—scanning for facts without personal application—we miss the relationship God offers through His Word. Scripture invites us into ongoing dialogue across days, weeks, and seasons. These conversations build trust as we hear God's heart and learn to recognize His voice in the text.

Time in God's Word changes us more than it changes our circumstances. While we often seek Scripture for quick answers to specific problems, God is interested in developing our character through relationship with Him. The primary purpose of devotional time isn't to get information or solutions. Devo time isn't finding out what the future holds. It's to know God Himself through His Word and be transformed by His presence.

Godseekers, let's move beyond one-sided encounters with Scripture. If you've been in a one-sided conversation, imagine what God experiences when we speed-read His Word without pausing to reflect. He offers wisdom, comfort, and direction through Scripture, but we rush past it to finish our reading plan. Today, make space to read and reflect, approaching God's Word with the expectancy of someone anticipating meaningful conversation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've treated Your Word as something to finish rather than someone to meet. Help me learn to read Scripture as conversation, not just content. Open my heart to recognize Your voice in these ancient yet living words. Teach me to wait expectantly after reading, believing You have something personal to say. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• When did I last slow down enough to let a Scripture passage speak to me?
• What distractions often prevent me from hearing God's voice in His Word?

Step of Faith

Today, I will read just five verses from the Bible and spend ten minutes meditating on them, writing down any insights or applications that come to mind as I ponder God's Word.