Are you getting the most benefit from your hearing, reading, and study of God’s Word? What does Matthew Henry mean when he talks about “profiting from the Bible”? And what might prevent us from doing so?
Also, what did Peter have to say to suffering Christians in the first century that flies in the face of our “don’t-step-on-my-toes-I-have-rights” thinking?
Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe and watch on YouTube.
Today’s Readings:
Ezekiel 41 & 42
Psalm 133.1-3
Proverbs 29.6
1 Peter 1.1-25
Are You Benefiting from the Bible?
Ezekiel 41 & 42:
A Closer & Closer View
In chapter 40 of yesterday’s reading, Ezekiel said:
¹ In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured, on the very same day the hand of the Lord was upon me; and He took me there. 2 In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city.
The vision began with a view from outside the city. Then God took him to the outside of the temple, then into the courts (Ezek. 40.6-49), and then into the temple itself (Ezek. 41).
Going Further
Matthew Henry, in his Complete Commentary on the Bible, says this about chapter 41: “After the prophet had observed the courts, he was brought to the temple. If we attend to instructions in the plainer parts of religion, and profit by them, we shall be led further into an acquaintance with the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”
My paraphrase—if we are faithful to learn the basics of the Christian faith, God will take us deeper into the wonders of His Word.
But notice that second sentence in Henry’s comment, “If we attend to instruction … and profit by them …” If we are not applying what we already know, it is unlikely we will grow and understand more!
The writer of Hebrews said it this way:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5.12-14).
I don’t know about you, but I want that solid food. And the only way we can get it is to obey the truth we know.
The Problem
The problem is we’re often blinded to those areas where we’re responding like spiritual babies. That’s why we need godly friends who love us enough to speak truth into our lives and why it’s important to invite God to show us where we need to grow and change. I like to pray this from Psalm 139:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139.23-24).
It’s also why it’s essential to be part of a Bible-teaching church, one that takes Christian community seriously, because we are part of God’s gracious work in each other’s lives. There are at least 59 “one another” passages in the Bible, ways that we are commanded to encourage and help each other. You can read more about them in “Christian Fellowship: Stir Up Love & Good Works.”
So, are you benefiting from the Bible?
God’s Word is not primarily for information; it’s for transformation. How has the Bible changed you in the past year? What about the past month? What about today’s reading?
Perhaps we might pray:
[Tweet “Are you profiting from the Bible? #bible #soulsurvival”] [Tweet “God’s Word is not primarily for information, it’s for transformation. #bible #soulsurvival”] [Tweet “How has the Bible changed you? #bible #soulsurvival”]Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law (Ps. 119.18).
A Great Way to Grow
Do you want to go deeper into the things of God?
One way is through a study of the basics of the Christian faith. My husband and I created an easy-to-use workbook that will take you through many of the foundational truths of Scripture.
Our “Growing through Discipleship” workbook is designed to help you deepen your relationship with Jesus and grow in your faith and knowledge of the Bible.
It consists of twenty-two fill-in-the-blank lessons that cover subjects like:
- Salvation
- The Word of God
- Spiritual growth
- God’s will
- Marriage
- A Christian worldview
- End times
- Eternal security
- And much more
Whether you’re a new believer or want to strengthen your walk with God, I know you’ll find it a great resource.
Get your downloadable/printable copy today and take the next step in Christian growth.
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 133.1-3:
Living in Unity
This psalm talks about the goodness of brothers and sisters in the body of Christ living together in unity. It’s the Holy Spirit living in and through us who enables us to demonstrate that kind of love for one another. May we fill our hearts with His Word out of a desire to please Him and live well with others.
Proverbs 29.6:
Ensnared by Sin
By transgression an evil man is snared …
How often do the sinful pleasures we lust for, believe we deserve, and think we should have the freedom to enjoy end up becoming a trap for us?
[Tweet “How often the sinful pleasures we lust for and think we deserve end up becoming a trap for us! #faith #sin #temptation #soulsurvival”]1 Peter 1.1-25:
Responding to Trials
In the endnotes of his Daily Bible, John MacArthur talks about Peter’s reason for writing this epistle. He explained that the believers in the Roman Empire had become Nero’s scapegoats when he blamed them for burning Rome. Consequently, they had come under intense persecution. Many were even martyred for the faith.
Yet, throughout this book, Peter encouraged believers to respond to mistreatment and persecution … with rejoicing! Verses 6-9:
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
“… for a little while … grieved by various trials … that the genuineness of your faith … more precious than gold … though it is tested … may be found to praise, honor, and glory …”
He didn’t say, “I know you are being deprived of your rights, tortured, and killed. This is horrible!” Instead, he reminded them that God was using even this difficult trial caused by the lies of a wicked man for their good and His glory!
Rejoice and be thankful for whatever trial you are currently facing. God is doing the same in your life and mine!
[Tweet “God uses trials for our good and His glory! #God #christianity #trials #soulsurvival”]Closing Thoughts:
Whether you’re a newcomer to the study of God’s Word or a veteran, are you being faithful to learn and grow? Have you stopped to contemplate your response to the tests and trials in your life? Do you trust God to use them for your good and His glory? Are you seeking to respond as Christ would?
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about how to respond to an unreasonable spouse and about those times when we’re struggling to trust God. We’ll also discuss the question, “Is the Bible enough in a complex world?”
I hope you’ll join us.
Getting ready for 2026:
The holidays are just around the corner, and the new year will be upon us before we know it. What will you do to make Bible reading an ongoing habit in the coming year? I want to encourage you to set a goal to read through the Bible again or for the first time. If you join me, I’ll take you through a plan that covers both the Old and New Testaments in about 15 minutes a day. You can read each day’s post or watch as I read through the passages on YouTube. Sign up so you don’t miss any of them. The emails can serve as a gentle reminder to stay on track, and I believe you’ll benefit from the additional information I share and grow as you learn to apply God’s Word to your own life.
You can check out our YouTube channel here.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
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