First
we will need God’s bountiful supply if we are to live according to God’s word
(v17). Apart from God’s help we cannot
please God (Rom.
8:8). We will hear the Word but not do
the Word (Jas 1:22-25).
We
must ask God to open our eyes to His truth (v18). The natural man cannot understand the things
of God (2 Cor. 2:14-16). Our natural eyes cannot see spiritual truth.
At
the same time we must ask God to make His truth clear to us (v19). Living in this world where God’s people are strangers means we are surrounded by
ideas and philosophies that, if brought to the Word, will actually obscure the
meaning. Remember that Jesus used
parables to hide his teaching from the world but to reveal it to His disciples
(Mt. 13:10-17). Yet even then His disciples
needed Christ to reveal the truth to them.
We
also need to have a deep longing for
the Word in order to truly benefit from our time spent there (v20). We cannot come to the Scriptures with the
attitude we may have when we read the newspaper. We must have an eagerness to study, to
concentrate, to learn and for that we need God’s abundant supply. It is true that often, as we begin to read
the Bible that the longing will grow within us.
But that is God’s work, and we are dependent on Him for it.
The
remaining verses tell us that we will benefit more from the word of God if we
come expecting it to be beneficial.
o God’s word will give you confidence when dealing with
the self-confident people around you who stray from the truth (v21).
o Obedience to God’s word will give you a right view of
yourself when you are put down by others (v22).
o Even when great and powerful people speak against you
and against God, meditation on His word will sustain you (v23).
o God’s word will provide accurate counsel in the issues
of life as you delight in it (v24).
Let
us come to Scripture with humility and with great expectation. Seek God’s bountiful supply as you begin your
times with God and trust Him to accurately and perfectly meet your need each
day.
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