Do you ever find yourself a little bored with the Bible? Or skimming over a passage because you’ve heard or read it many times before? Is it possible that our familiarity with the Word or with certain passages can keep us from benefiting from our Bible reading? Today we’ll look at one very familiar passage of Scripture, talk about why God doesn’t want us to have a ho-hum attitude, and why every verse in the Bible is important.
Today’s Readings:
Judges 5 & 6
Psalm 49.1
Proverbs 14.20-21
Luke 15.1-10
Ever Find Yourself a Little Bored with the Bible?
Judges 5 & 6:
A Familiar Story
Probably one of the most well-known stories in Judges is the story of Gideon. If you were brought up in Sunday school, you have probably heard it many times. And it can be easy to skim through some passages because they are so familiar.
But God doesn’t want us to come to His Word, going “ho-hum, heard that one before.” His Word is “quick” as the old King James Version says. That means it’s “alive.” (Think of the “quick” under your fingernails—very much “alive,” as you know, if you’ve ever gotten a splinter under there!)
We should come to our Bible reading expecting God to speak to us in a fresh way. It’s not that we’re free to put our own spin on God’s Word, but there is so much in every passage that we couldn’t mine it all in a lifetime.
There for a Reason
We should also remember that every verse is there for a reason, even some that seem relatively insignificant. I was reminded of that fact when I did a more in-depth study of the book of Colossians.
For example, Colossians 1.1 says:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.
It would be easy to brush past that verse as a simple introduction and no more. But look at two key phrases, “an apostle of Christ Jesus” and “by the will of God.”
Paul was about to address some serious issues concerning false teachers and their wrong doctrines. By stating that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus, not self-appointed or chosen by other men, he was reminding them of his apostolic authority. And the phrase “by the will of God” spoke of his encounter with the risen Lord and his radical conversion. So, it turns out that one short verse laid the groundwork for the rest of the book.
Back to today’s readings, what can we learn from the familiar story of Gideon? Why not read it slowly asking God to open your eyes to something you may not have seen before? I’ve included one example that stood out to me.
In Tough Times
Verse 6.6 says:
So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
These were tough economic times for the children of Israel and they responded by “crying out to the Lord.”
Difficult times should drive us to prayer, too. While it’s not wrong to accept help, it’s important that we keep our eyes on the Lord and realize that He is our ultimate Provider (Matt. 6.25-34), whatever means He uses. In fact, difficult times should deepen our reliance on Him.
When it comes to unbelievers, they cannot truly trust God. Because of His common grace, He may meet many of their needs but they have no basis to expect it. In fact, their greatest need is for the Lord Himself and to come into a right relationship with Him.
But even some believers, struggle in challenging times because they have not cultivated trust in God in the daily affairs of life.
So, how can we develop a deeper trust in Him?
Developing a Deeper Trust in God
Romans 10.17 says:
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
One commentator explained it this way, faith comes by hearing and having understood what we hear. And the writer of Hebrews said:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11.1).
So, as we hear and understand the truths of God through study and meditation on His Word, we come to trust in things we can’t yet see. And if we’re going to believe in and act on the commands, principles, and promises of God consistently, we must keep them in our minds. One important way is by memorizing them (Ps. 119.9-11).
Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness says this about memorizing Scripture, “The Holy Spirit wrote the Scriptures; we learn the Scriptures; the Holy Spirit brings to our mind what we learn; we apply what He brings to mind.”
But, as I said in an earlier post if we don’t learn God’s Word, we short-circuit the whole process. When we’re faced with a trial, instead of being able to respond based on the truths the Holy Spirit brings to mind, we’ll respond based on our feelings or what seems right to us and we end up leading anemic Christian lives!
Running to God
We must also develop the habit of turning to and depending on God every day and in every circumstance. If we don’t run to Him in the everyday events of life, it is unlikely that will be our first response when bigger trials come. That can change but we must make a purposeful effort for it to do so.
Look at Paul’s words to the Philippian believers in chapter 4 of that letter:
1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Look at some of the things Paul encouraged those believers and us to do. He said to stand fast, rejoice, pray, be thankful, and meditate on certain things.
The result is we are able to put off worry and anxiety (v. 6) and have the peace of God even in the midst of great difficulty (v. 7, 9).
Now I’d love to know, what speaks to you in these chapters?
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 49.1-9:
Only the Blood of Jesus
Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him (v. 6).
Only the blood of Christ can redeem any of us from the bondage of sin and the curse of eternal separation from God! There is no purgatory, no second chance after we die. And we can do nothing to redeem someone else after they have died.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Heb. 9.27).
Proverbs 14.20-21:
Mercy for the Less Fortunate
… he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (v. 21).
Or as Jesus put it, “It is more blessed to give than to receive!”
I thought about the widow and her two mites (Mk. 12.41-44). Jesus said, “she out of her poverty put in all that she had.” Perhaps, in the midst of our concerns over rising costs, we should look around and see who might have a need that we could meet.
Luke 15.1-10:
Joy in Heaven
When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone? How about your testimony?
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance (v. 7).
You don’t need a degree in theology to share your faith, just a little preparation. And when you do, God will open up opportunities and allow you to be part of that “joy in heaven”!
Here are two posts that can help you learn how to share your faith well. Both have videos about the gospel. The first is a short one by Mark Dever, Senior Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. The second is a longer teaching by Dr. Michael Horton of Westminster Seminary.
“Do You Live with a Sense of Guilt?”
“Could You Be a Christian in Name Only?”
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about how to respond to our prodigals, polygamy and our acceptable sins, how to forgive when you’re not feeling it, and how spoiled children can become selfish adults.
I hope you’ll join us. You can sign up here so you don’t miss any of them. If you’re interested in the study on Colossians, there is a list of lessons at the bottom of this post.
And if you would like to receive a FREE downloadable and printable Bible study through the book of Mark, you can click here for more information.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Colossians Bible Study:
The Preeminent Christ & Why It’s Important | Colossians Part 2
What Does Christ’s Preeminence Mean to Me? | Colossians Part 3
A Summary of the Christian Life | Colossians Part 4
The Unfolding Plan of God, Crimes of Passion & Our Hope of Glory | Colossians Part 5
Rooted & Established in Christ | Colossians Part 6
The Danger of a False Gospel | Colossians Part 7
The Power of God in Us | Colossians Part 8
Our Union with Christ | Colossians Part 9
Seek to Be Like Christ | Colossians Part 10
Putting on the Character of Christ | Colossians Wrap-Up
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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