Revealing Scripture
Stop.
Light a candle. Take moment and quietly reflect on its flame. Breathe in and say, “Your light, God.” Breathe out and say, “Guide my path.” Repeat as often as you need.
Listen.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. – Psalm 119:105-106
Reflect.
It’s easy to focus on reading the Bible more so you can know more about the Bible. Memorizing verses, remembering major people and places, keeping track of the history, understanding the references – sometimes, we get focused on knowing these things as an end in themselves. It’s easy to forget that the Bible is not God. We don’t worship the Bible. The Bible reveals the God we worship to us. We read the Bible more so we can better understand and engage with the God at work in the world.
The Psalmist refers to God’s word as a light that guides him through life. It’s not a way to gain knowledge and control, or to have moral superiority, or to be seen as better and more powerful. It’s a way to enlighten us and show us what God is up to. When we see what God is doing, we can come alongside God in that holy work.
It’s true that we might see and hear God at work in our lives in many ways. However, we know we can see and hear God at work in the scriptures. God’s word is a reliable, trustworthy place to hear what God has done before and what God promises to do again in our lives. With that light of truth on our paths, we can trust that no matter what happens, we go with God.
As you grow in your study of scripture, don’t mark your success by how many more facts and details you know. Go ahead and celebrate them as a way to indicate your growing confidence in engaging God’s word. But notice that your real growth comes in seeing God at work in your life. Because you’ve taken the time and effort to engage God’s word, you have peace as you walk through your life and listen for where God leads you.
Pray.
God, your word lights my way. Draw me deeper into your scriptures so I can carry them with me in my heart and mind. Enlightened by your good news, call me out into your good world for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Carry On.
Try picking a different psalm to read each week. Pick any psalm! Read it each day of the week and let its words inform your decisions and actions throughout the day. How does it change the way you think about God’s action in your life?