Psalm 119:33-34 "Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. (34) Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart."
As a pastor, I often speak about the importance of reading God's Word. It's
very important to spend time reading your Bible every day. The most stated
stumbling block by individuals is that they read it, but do not understand what
it is saying. As a result, oftentimes the Bible is thought to be outdated or
only applied to the people who were living at the time it was written.
I have stated this many times when writing these devotions that the Bible is
just as pertinent today as it was when the ink was still wet on the
parchment. The difference between the Bible and other books is found in
its Author. Man's writings can change. Man's opinions can change. But the
Author of the Bible is God, the Holy Spirit; therefore, the Word of God never
changes because God never changes. The teaching of the Bible is true and
always shall be.
So, what do we do when we cannot understand what the Bible is saying to us? How
can we come to a place of peace and contentment about God's Word? The
best way to know what is being said is to go to the source from which it comes.
The writer of the Psalms tells us in today's two verses how we can understand
what is being said to us when we read the Bible. "Teach me, O LORD...
and... Give me understanding." The best way to read the Bible is
prayerfully. When we do that, it will be surprising how much we find that God
had us in mind when He inspired men of old to pen His Words. "But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you..." (John 14:26-27) Jesus said in another place, "Ask,
and ye shall receive."
What's the best way to read the Bible? Start by asking the Lord to reveal to
you what He has for you to understand as you begin to read.