Being Immersed in God’s Word

How do we know who God is? We read His word. While it sounds simple enough, the “complications” in understanding can often be a result of the lack of dedication and intentionality of the reader. God wants us to know Him and provides us every tool we need to do so, but do we utilize these gifts? It may feel that we know all there is to know about the Bible, so question the need to revisit passages and parables. This, however, is knowing God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” As flawed and limited people, we are quick to forget His promises and goodness, and we can often be quick to forget His warnings and consequences, causing us to live a lukewarm life full of confusion.

Another important piece to the puzzle of our relationship with Christ is being personable. While we can discover and create incredible resources to guide ourselves and fellow believers into deeper understanding, sometimes in our complacency or even self-consciousness we can allow these very things to be a crutch and avoid an in-depth encounter with scripture. Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” We should be in a body of believers, but your personal time with God should not be the 30 minute message we hear on Sunday. We can absolutely share in devotionals and study books, but they should not replace the raw gift of reading God’s word directly for ourselves.

If we know God, how do we become more like Him? The Bible says knowing what to do and actually doing it are not at all the same concept. In Luke 11:28 Jesus says, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” As we better understand the Bible and live it out, we will not only know God more intimately, but start to look more like Him. This is the gift of sanctification. Our walk with Christ is on-going, changing and developing us until the day we are united with Him in His kingdom.

Set aside uninterrupted time to sit in God’s presence and meditate on His word. Take scripture a chunk at a time, ask God to prepare your heart for conviction and understanding, so that your life may change as you know Him more. Don’t let studying the Bible intimidate you, instead let it encourage you. God provides us all that we need, Yahweh Yireh!