What It Means to Have a Fruitful Devotional

Every believer who regularly reads the Bible eventually comes to ask a deeply personal question. Is something supposed to be happening to me while I read? We know that the Bible is the living Word of God, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). We believe it is powerful, inspired, and transformative. But often, we feel like we’re just reading ink on paper.

So what’s the difference between simply reading the Bible and encountering the God of the Bible? What does it feel like when your daily devotional time actually stirs your heart, softens your soul, and reshapes your perspective?

The Struggle to Feel

Let’s admit something up front: many days, Bible reading feels ordinary. You read, you pray, and nothing dramatic happens. But that doesn’t mean it’s fruitless. Just like daily meals nourish your body over time, even the “quiet” readings sustain and shape your soul in ways you may not immediately perceive.

But sometimes just sometimes God meets us in a more vivid way. And when that happens, it's unforgettable.

Preparing the Heart

One of the reasons many Christians don’t regularly encounter God in Scripture is that they come to the Bible rushed and unready. Our minds are cluttered, our hearts distracted, and our souls dull. Wesley Duewel once noted that he sometimes read fifty chapters before his heart finally quieted enough to truly meet with God.

No, there’s no magic number. But there is a principle: deep spiritual encounters require preparation. You might not need fifty chapters, but you may need fifteen minutes of solitude, prayer, or even reading the words of others who have walked closely with God to awaken your spiritual senses.

One powerful way to prepare your heart is by reading a few pages of a book by a trusted, God-saturated author someone who consistently sees more glory in Scripture than you do. Their joy can jumpstart your own.

When Longing Is the Encounter

Sometimes, the encounter with God comes not in emotional highs, but in deep yearning. Consider this truth: your desire for Christ is already a taste of His presence.

John Owen once wrote that there is more glory in the sighs and groans of a soul pursuing Christ than in the thrones of kings. Why? Because those longings are stirred by the Spirit. They are, in and of themselves, evidence of God at work.

That means when you open your Bible and say, “Lord, I want more of You,” you are already tasting His love. When you ache for His presence, that ache is a grace. It’s the aroma of heaven reaching your heart.

So don’t underestimate the power of longing. God is near to those who seek Him, even when He feels far (Psalm 34:18).

Meeting God in Familiar Pages

There are moments when a familiar passage suddenly explodes with new light. Take Romans 9, for example a chapter read and studied a hundred times before. Yet one day, God may take a well-known verse like:

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (Romans 9:15)

…and cause it to land with weight and wonder on your soul. The reality of God's absolute freedom and sovereignty might strike you not as a doctrine to debate, but as a truth to weep over, rejoice in, and cling to. It could break your pride, stir tears for the lost, and renew your assurance in His mighty mercy.

That’s not every day. But when it happens, it’s worth a year of faithful reading. Truly.

A Devotional Is Fruitful When…

So what does a fruitful devotional time really feel like?

• Sometimes, it feels like deep hunger a soul groaning for more of Christ.

• Sometimes, it feels like quiet awe a truth landing gently, but profoundly.

• Sometimes, it feels like holy brokenness a passage exposing your sin and calling you to repentance.

• Sometimes, it feels like tears and worship a verse gripping your heart and showing you the glory of God.

• And often, it feels like steadfast faithfulness just showing up again and again, trusting that God is meeting you, even when your emotions don't testify to it.

Fruitfulness isn't about fireworks. It's about faith.

Don’t Give Up Showing Up

If your devotional life feels dry, don’t despair. God honors the pursuit. He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). And yes, He still surprises His people with the sweetness of His presence sometimes when you least expect it, through a verse you've read a hundred times.

But remember, the longing itself is a gift. The desire to encounter Him is already evidence that He’s working in your heart.

So come to the Word hungry. Prepare your heart. Ask for eyes to see. And keep showing up.

Because when He does meet you it will all be worth it.

If this resonated with your journey, share it with someone who’s struggling to feel close to God. Or subscribe to our newsletter to receive more real, faith-building encouragement in your inbox.