The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"When Reading"
(Part 3 - Guideposts)
As we conclude our consideration of "guideposts" that direct us in our reading and pondering of the Bible, we acknowledge that the list is far from complete or conclusive. Hopefully, however, the suggestions we offer will be helpful in our relationship and walk with God through His Word.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
Personal and propositional. The Bible exists as both a book and a voice. We read to know God personally and to understand His truth doctrinally. Relationship with God involves knowing Somebody, and understanding something (many somethings actually). Our Lord awaits us in the pages of His Word as we approach with a humble, trusting heart. An open Heart meets us in the opened Book. We may not always perceive how we encounter Him, nor do we always know how the truths we discover will impact our lives. Every sincere pondering of the written Word nevertheless presents to our hearts and minds the living Word that leads us to worship God in both spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
Rightly divided. All Scripture reveals and glorifies its singular theme, namely, the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:15; John 5:39). Old Testament and New, however, reveal Him in different ways and address different populations of believers. The Old Testament bears witness to Christ in prophecy, morality, ritual, type, metaphor, poetry, and in God's historical working in individuals and His earthly nation Israel whereby He brought His Son into the world. The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the Old, declaring that Christ has come, and emphasizing His personal impact in the hearts of people (the church), while not neglecting the national and worldwide implications for prophecies yet to be fulfilled through the Lord Jesus. In this light of rightly dividing Scripture, we find that all of the Bible is written for us. But not all is written directly to us. Proper interpretation relies on this awareness as we seek to apply the entire Bible to our hearts and lives, but to do so in the context of God's varying ways and means in different epochs of history.
Sacrifice. A most holy reality regarding the Scriptures involves the cost of their production - not financial, but personal. The Bible would not exist apart from the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus. Indeed, there would be no reason for a Book that communicates the heart and mind of God if no way existed to redeem us from our native alienation from Him. The Scriptures declare this blessed and holy rescue in the promise of the Old Testament, and the fulfillment of the New. Christ is coming. Christ has come. He is coming again. He has brought with Him salvation from our sins, and freely provided living relationship and fellowship with God at the highest cost to Himself. In spiritual terms, the words of Scripture are written with the blood of the Lord Jesus. This overwhelming reality, remembered and acknowledged when reading of the Bible, will place our hearts and minds in the proper attitude of being completely overwhelmed that God has given such a gift of grace and truth. Moreover, so many of His sons and daughters have suffered much throughout history to ensure we could receive the gift. Sacrifice indeed forms the theme of the Bible, and it paved the path by which such a gift came to us.
Wonder. Not every reading of Scripture overwhelms us. Many times we simply read and go our way. Sometimes, however, the Holy Spirit opens the portal of His Word widely enough and personally enough that we both see and are blinded by the Light of God in one and the same instant. Words fail in the illumination of the Word as our hearts fall to their knees before the risen Christ, as revealed in the glory only Scripture can unveil. Yes, the Bible is the Lord Jesus in print, even as the Lord Jesus is the Bible in person. Wonder. What other response can there be when we consider the gift of Scripture that so perfectly and vividly bestows to us with the gift of the Savior?
Attend. Finally, Paul stated the matter so simply to Timothy: "give attendance to reading" (I Timothy 4:13). In other words, show up at the doorstep of Scripture, and enter therein. Let us present ourselves before our Lord each day as He awaits us in His Word. Class is in, always. Our Teacher stands before us, and even more, dwells within us. We may or may not be the best student. But the Holy Spirit is the most sublime of teachers, and His Volume can inform, inspire, and infuse all who come to Him and to His Word to know the Lord Jesus, and to understand the Bible that so perfectly glorifies and reveals Him. This day offers the opportunity, the opportunity of a lifetime to attend, to give attendance to reading.
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
(Jeremiah 15:16)
Weekly Memory Verse
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.
(Jeremiah 15:16)
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