Digging Deeper

A few weeks back, I gave a lesson in our Ladies Bible Study on digging into the Word of God, and making time for study of the Bible. It wasn’t a deep and theological lesson, it was just a simple reminder to get into the Word of God and make time regularly to study and not be content with just reading the Word. Actually studying it and applying it!

So, I’m posting it here on the blog in the hopes that some of you reading may be encouraged to do some digging of your own.

Firstly, if we want to be successful in our Christian walk, we need a manual! The origin of success is the BIBLE. The Word of God is our manual.

Joshua 1:8

   This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

This book of the law, the Bible, is God’s key to success

We read that Joshua desired to follow God wholeheartedly.

Joshua 24:15

 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua knew that to become successful in his spiritual life, he needed to follow the Lord and serve the Lord and encourage his family to do the same.

Success begins with following God’s Word. Knowing God’s Word and doing what it says.

What is the Bible?

It is God’s Word – 2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

It is Alive – Hebrews 4 :12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The word ‘quick’ literally means alive. The Word of God is Alive!!

It is a Force - Jeremiah 23:29 - Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

It is a Defence against temptation – Ephesians 6: 13-17 (the armour of God)

Matthew 4:4,7,10 –

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

In this passage, Satan tried to tempt the Lord and the Lord used scripture to fight against him. The Word is a defence.

It is a Guide – Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

It is Cleansing - Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. ...

It is Eternal - Isaiah 40:8  - The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

1 Peter 1:25 - But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

It is Pure

It is Perfect

It is Sure (faithful, established, stands fast)

It is Right

It is True and Righteous

Psalm 12:6  - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm 19:7-9 - The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

As we read and study the Bible, precious truths begin to seep into our hearts and minds. We begin to experience rich blessings from the Word of God.

It is so important to read and study God’s Word regularly.

Step 1 – Reading

Step 2 – Studying and Meditating on it

My little analogy

Reading the Word of God is a little like flying over the jungle. As you fly over, you look down. You see the winding river making its way through the deep canyon. You see a dirt track cutting through the jungle leaving a clear path to follow. You see the tops of the trees. You see some dwellings far down below. You see a fire and some smoke. You see the picture as a whole. You get an overview of everything in your sight.

Studying the Word of God is like actually walking that dirt track. Handling the leaves. Feeling the dampness of the jungle. Touching the leaves of the trees. Crossing the river. Getting your feet wet. Feeling the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the enclosed walls of the dwellings. Experiencing every little detail. Getting up close and immersing yourself in all the sights and sounds.

As we read the Bible, we get an overview. But, as we study, we begin to dig deeper and really search out the meaning of the passages we read. We see the Word come alive. We experience the blessings.

Now, I’m not just encouraging you to study because I think it’s a good idea, God actually tells us to study His Word, in His Word.

2 Timothy 2:15  - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Study has the meaning to exert oneself, to give diligence, to endeavour, to labour

We come across the word meditate in the Bible. The word meditate is used 14 times in the Bible and has the meaning to ponder, to muse, to study.

Joshua 1:8 KJV - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 1:2 KJV - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:15, 48, 78, 148 KJV - I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. ... My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. ... Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: [but] I will meditate in thy precepts. ... Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

God puts a lot of emphasis on meditating on His Word. But study and meditating on God’s Word all comes down to interest and desire. We have to desire the Word of God and have a hunger for it.

Reading it is not enough.

Be careful not to fall into the trap of reading through the Bible in a year, without studying what you’re reading. It’s great to read quantity, but you need to gain an understanding .

There needs to be comprehension. Just like when you did reading comprehension in school and you had to answer questions on what you had read, in order for the teacher to see that you grasped the meaning and content of the book.

Comprehension comes through study and God revealing its truth to you. We need to become studiers of the Word! We need to actually comprehend what we’re reading. And in order to do that, we need to study!

Thankfully, nowadays, we have many ‘helps’ available to us. Commentaries, Bible dictionaries and study books abound. We don’t have any excuses really.

But in all your study and reading, don’t forget prayer!

PRAYER is super important. We need to ask God to reveal himself to us. We need him to help guide our understanding. To help us to be able to discern truth from error.

Prayer needs to be surrounding all that you read and study. It needs to be the foundation.

“Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters of the knowledge of Christ “  -  Charles Spurgeon.

I came across this passage in the book of Ezra, and it was not very familiar, not having read Ezra frequently, but in reading it, it only highlighted the fact to me that ALL of the Word of God needs to be read regularly, not just the ‘favourite’ parts. It’s amazing what treasures abound as you read the not so popular parts of the Bible.

Ezra 7:10 

 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Not only was this a new verse to me, but I found it interesting in regards to this blog.  When I was trying to find a name for my blog, I thought about how we need to learn from the Word of God, then we need to live what we learn, then we need to love others so that we will share with them what we’ve learned.

Learn. Live. Love. Share.

In this verse in Ezra, it says that Ezra prepared his heart to seek God. Then he did it. Then he taught it. And to teach it, he needed to love those he taught.

And that is one of my goals here on this blog, is to learn from the Word and be able to share what I’ve learnt and am learning with you.

Ezra was prepared – The word ‘prepared’ means to be determined. Be ready. Be settled. Be fixed. Directed toward. Be established. Be set up.

Ezra had prepared his heart!

We need to prepare our hearts to seek God. Then we need to obey it. Then we need to share it and teach it!

It is our job as Christians to share the gospel and to teach others what we have learned.

It’s not enough to just read the Word of God. We need to be continually be digging deeper and studying the Word and meditating on it and praying over it and living it.

Studying the Bible illuminates our reading! It opens our understanding. It keeps us from error. It deepens our walk with the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.