“When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law…” Deuteronomy 17:18
Nobody else in Israel was required to write out the book of the law by hand. But the king was given such great trust and such great responsibility that when the king was crowned, his first task was not to rule the nation, but to learn how to rule, and he was to begin by writing out the entire book of Deuteronomy by hand!
“It shall be with him…” (17:19). This handwritten copy of God’s Word was to be on the king’s nightstand and in his study. He was to take it with him wherever he went. Have the Bible on your nightstand. Put a Bible on your desk. Bring your Bible to church. Take your Bible on the train. Have a Bible with you when you are in meetings. This book is always to be with you.
“He shall read in it all the days of his life…” (17:19). As you read the Bible, it will shape your thinking. It will form your character. It will energize your life. Read the Bible with faith and with repentance, and keep reading it “all the days of your life.” Fill your heart with God’s promises. Shape your will with God’s commands. Guard your heart with God’s words.
King David had many failings in his life. He tells us how he learned to stand against temptation: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psa. 119:11). That’s the kind of leader we want. Aim to be that kind of leader. Aim to be that kind of parent. Aim to be that kind of Christian.
Is reading and studying the Word of God a priority in your life?
