I like things that are big. They inspire awe. America has a big expansive infrastructure, making it easy to access every state and natural landmark. The Grand Canyon inspires awe and unblinking eyes to everyone who stands at its edge. The Blue Whale, the world’s largest known mammal, has a heart that’s bigger than a car and pumps enough blood to fill a swimming pool with every beat. The world’s heaviest public building resides right here in Romania, the Parliament building, and required insurmountable amounts of time and effort to construct. The ancient Redwood trees of California make you wonder how something so large could ever have come from such a small seed and be fed by nothing more than dirt, water, and sunshine. You know, scripture says that a man who delights in the Lord is like a tree. Psalm 1:1-3 reads as follows:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
This is the word of God. It’s about as straightforward as it gets. “The Word of God.” Why then, do some people think that so much of the Word of God is just inspired text, that various authors were just feeling spiritual one day and wrote some memorable and noteworthy things? This text is not just inspired, but breathed out directly by God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” So there it is, if you know God, surely you believe His word, and His word is self-confirming. So take hold of this Psalm.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe in the words of the Bible. Many people will tell you it’s silly, or it’s a book of fables, merely “inspired” text. I mean, look at the disciples; they doubted it sometimes too! Take the scenario in Luke 24 for example. Jesus, after spending all that time with his apostles, died and was resurrected. A couple of his disciples were walking along the road chatting it up when Jesus appeared in disguise. After the disciples explained their doubts as if they were spreading words through the grapevine, Jesus himself says, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!…” Even the very guys who hung out with our Savior still doubted what Scripture foretold. Jesus proceeded to explain everything to them beginning with Moses (verse 27), revealing yet again his patience and enduring love for us hard-headed slow-to-learn people. The Bible tells us ONE TRUE STORY. It is not an old story told by old-fashioned story-tellers followed by a new version told by church leaders bound under a single cover. It is ONE STORY of God and His love for His creation.
The Old Testament is a setup for the New. It gives us an understanding into Christ and into the Salvation that’s offered us. That’s why it can be confusing if you pull out one or two verses at a time, away from its context. I mean, consider Judges 21. The Israelites promised never to give their daughters to the tribe of Benjamin. But after battles and various misfortunes and poor strategizing, the tribe was basically threatened with extinction, and we can’t lose one of the 12 tribes of God’s chosen people, right? So, they attack and kill their neighbors and take all of their daughters to give to Benjamin’s tribe for wives. Now, apply this scripture to your life.
Wait, what? I’m confused. You want me to kill and kidnap people? Is this a story of salvation or of brutality? Well, this is what happens when you pull verses out of context. You must know the preceding stories and the follow-up in order to understand the meaning of its inclusion in Scripture. Partnered with God’s promise to give you understanding if you ask for it, how can you go wrong with reading more Scripture?
Are there bits of Scripture that you can apply immediately to your life? Sure there are. Just flip through Proverbs, or the Gospels, or Paul’s letters, or read the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy. The problem is that it becomes all too easy to only abide by the verses you enjoy, the ones you like and understand without asking for help in comprehension, the ones that are easy to live by with your chosen lifestyle. Technically, you’re robbing yourself of understanding. Ronnie Smith says, “The Word of God contends for our heart against the sin of unbelief.” Instead of turning to ourselves for understanding, God’s words will defend and protect us, energize us, work in us, to us, and through us, all while providing the deeper understanding we long for.
How about if you feel as if you have a firm understanding on the words and themes in Scripture? Then the question becomes, are you living by it? Because to know the truths and promises of Scripture but to choose to live outside of those renders one weak in the presence of sinful tendencies. Responding to life, and to the Word, is a choice. The Bible kindles our love for God. Shouldn’t we love the one who loved us first and most? We often act like children… at first, we depend on and love our parents. As we evolve into teenagers, we all of a sudden know more and don’t need their guidance for anything. After we make mistakes and mature, we see that forming a closer relationship with and reliance upon our parents actually benefits our lives in incalculable ways, and we thus choose to love them more deeply and adhere to their advice. Spiritually, we do the same. As new Christians, we’re full steam ahead for God’s Kingdom. We then lose steam and want the things of the world again. But as we discover our joy comes from the Lord and not from others or things, we turn back to Him. Thankfully, He welcomes us with open arms just the father in the story of the prodigal son (which, by the way, is a parable telling of God’s love for us, not just some wisdom imparting story.)
So get in His word and discover His love for us, as portrayed by God Himself. Try not to pick apart your favorite pieces, but take it as one whole story describing God’s love and care for us. You’ll be amazed at what He shows you.
