I have several favorite Bible teachers, all of whom run large ministries or churches. Although they all differ in their delivery style of the Gospel, one thing they agree upon, the Word of God is best taught and studied line upon line and precept upon precept. I believe it was what Paul was telling Timothy in his second letter, study and know (not just head knowledge but also heart knowledge) the Word, the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is the same for us, study so the student of the Word need not be ashamed, but is approved by God.
The writer of Psalm 119 states, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word; with my whole heart I have sought You, oh let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:9–11 NKJV) And later he pens, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV)
His Ways and His Word
When the LORD God led the Israelites out of bondage from Egypt, He established His ordinances, His Torah, His best way to live. We know them as the Ten Commandments. After the children of Israel finished the forty years of wandering, again Moses gave them the Torah, as the generation who heard it before them, had perished during those forty years. From Moses to Joshua the leadership shifted and under Joshua, the people followed God’s ways, because Joshua knew the Torah. Because of following His ways and His Word, the people would enter their promised land and receive blessings, albeit not without struggle.
Likewise, it is the same for us today. When we immerse ourselves into the study, memorization and application of God’s Word, our lives will be blessed. I’m not saying our lives won’t be without challenges or struggles, but there are blessings for God’s children who study, know and heed His Word. However, one doesn’t want to study just for knowledge sake. Jesus dealt with the Pharisees, who were the teachers of the Torah, when He called them hypocrites — they knew the Word, but they practiced it without the kindness intended by God. We must also be diligent to check ourselves that we don’t become self-righteous and forget about brotherly love, and kindness to one another.
Study His Word
Along that same note, a serious student of the Word is best served if they become as the people of Berea as found in Acts 17, checking what they hear against Scripture to see if it is true. “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10–11 NKJV)
Scripture study reminds us how we are to live. For every problem we face in our lives today, the Bible — God’s Living Word, has a solution. Will we be like the Psalmist and seek diligently, hiding the Word in our hearts, so we may not sin against God?
Jesus came to give us new life in Him. Once we accept His free gift of salvation, what better way to get to know Him than to study His Word? Jesus is the Word made flesh — and the Bible tells us that those who seek Him will find Him if they seek Him with all their hearts.
What about you, dear Reader?
- Is your Bible worn and marked with use, or does it sit gathering dust?
- How are we to live like Jesus if we don’t know Him?
- Scripture study helps — will you study to show yourself approved to God?
This devotion originally appeared on Devotable written by Pam DePuydt
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