The Gift That Keeps On Giving

I remember hearing through the years that you should read scripture out loud. My mother has been in a great habit of reading scripture aloud for years. A few years ago she had my dog, Duke, and my brothers dog, Winston. They are both chill dogs but Mom said she sat in her chair and started reading out loud and Duke and Winston just looked at her. The whole time she read they watched her and listened. She said it was like they understood everything she was reading.

I thought of that story the other day when I wrote the blog, "Fake News." Hebrews 4: 12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." It is powerful both to the one who speaks it and the one who hears it. There are many scriptures that refer to reading aloud. Here are some of the scriptures that address reading scripture aloud:

1 Timothy 4: 13, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching."

Romans 10: 17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

Deuteronomy 30: 14, "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it."

Psalm 49: 3, "My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding."

Psalm 119: 172, "My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness."

Psalm 119: 103, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Reading the Bible aloud not only lets you see the words but it lets you hear the words. Because our eyes and brains are faster than our mouths, it is harder to skim over or speed read. When we slow down our reading we are able to process what we are reading.

Scripture tells us that if we put the Word of God on our tongue, it will come up in conversation. It will train us to speak wisdom. It is like praise to God. It will make you feel good. The words we read are translated into speech and the words we hear are more distinct than when we read silently. This helps us retain the information.

And this is just what happens while you read. The real exciting part is when you go on about your day. Expect to hear these words during the next hours and/or days. Watch God bring them to life for you by guiding you and instructing you through what you have just read. This is what makes it the Living Word! Reading scripture aloud is truly the gift that keeps on giving!