Screen Time
Every Sunday I receive a notification regarding the amount of screen time I spend each week. It is ironic that the report comes on Sunday. I always ponder how much time I spent in God’s word that week. Last week my screen time averaged almost four hours per day. Y’all the truth hurts. Did I spend four hours a day in God’s word? Did I spend half that time in the Bible? I don’t have a notification for that, but from the guilt I felt and forgiveness I sought from the Lord, I know in my heart my Bible time did not compare.
He Did What was Right
II Kings 22:1,2, NKJV, “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem….And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or the left.”
The books of Kings are hard to read because there was so much evil in the kings during that time. Occasionally, the Bible tells us about a king that did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. King Josiah was one of those refreshing kings.
Book of the Law
The Bible tells us in verses 3-7 that King Josiah sent his scribe to the temple to get money to pay the workers that were repairing the temple. While there the priest informed the scribe that he had found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord. It is thought that the book he found was Deuteronomy. The scribe read the book and then read it to King Josiah.
Repentance
II Kings 22:11, NKJV, “Now it happened when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”
King Josiah’s reaction to the reading of the word of God, the Book of the Law, was to repent immediately and seek the Lord’s will for direction. The reading of the word changed Josiah and brought him to repentance and seeking God’s will. Josiah knew the people were going to be punished because of their sin, but because of Josiah’s humble response, God gave the nation peace during the reign of Josiah.
Screen Time versus Bible Time
This scripture reminded me of the importance of the word of God. God’s word changes lives and changes circumstances in our lives. We just need to read and obey. So I was thinking about the Bible versus social media. What is the difference in the messages we receive from each.
Bible. Social media
Word of God is truth. Never sure, can’t be trusted
Offers peace. Fear
Hope. Apprehension
Joy. Laughter at times
Lifts our burdens. Multiplies our concerns
Wisdom. Silliness
Open the Word
Don’t misunderstand me. Social media has been a lifeline for us during this time. I like seeing pictures and knowing what my friends are doing. I am very interested in prayer concerns and the many church videos that have been available. My problem is the fact that we spend too much time in mindless surfing rather than drawing closer to God through His word. We need God. We need the peace He has to offer. We need His hope and wisdom and joy. Open the word. Seek Him first. Put social media in perspective not as a priority.
Why does reading the Word change lives?
John 1:1, NKJV, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
You see the Word is living, breathing the breath of Jesus Christ. He is the Word. He changes lives to give you all the needs of your life. He is the I AM! He is all you need.
God’s Guide
Psalms 119:105, NKJV, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
We are all too inexperienced in too much of life to be without a guide. God’s word is our guide. Psalm 119 gives us features of the God’s Word. How can I find peace in the midst of the storm when I don’t seek the Peacemaker? Open the Word. Seek Him today.
Paula Wallace
So good!