May 19

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. — Col 3:16 BSB

This surely means something more than merely reading the Word in a careless, formal manner. It is meant to “dwell in us,” meaning it must take up a firm and lasting abode in our hearts, and that “richly,” not poorly or sparingly, but in abundance, unfolding the wealth of its treasures to us. And this should be done in “all wisdom,” making us wise for salvation, opening up to us the manifold wisdom of God and how it reveals itself in the great mystery of godliness.

We cannot attain this rich and heavenly wisdom unless we diligently search and study the Scriptures, accompanied by prayer and supplication, seeking to understand what the Holy Spirit has revealed in them and what He chooses to unfold for our personal instruction and consolation.

It’s easy to fall away from abiding in Christ, and we can’t expect to maintain a meaningful union and communion with the Lord Jesus if we neglect the means of grace that the Holy Spirit has provided to sustain the life of God in our souls. When we become cold, sluggish, or dead in our spiritual life, reading God’s Word feels like a burden. But when the life of God is flowing in the soul, reading His Word with prayer and entering into its hidden treasures by faith becomes a joyful means of maintaining our spiritual life and keeping up our communion with Christ.