READ AND STUDY THE WORD PRAYERFULLY

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2024

To hear and understand God's Word, we must read it prayerfully. This is because it is not an intellectual exercise. Reading it prayerfully activates God's power and wisdom in our lives. When we do so, we open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit, who activates our spirit to understand the Word acceptably and profitably.

Reference: Nehemiah 8:18 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

"Ezra read out of the book of the law of God every day, from the first day to the last."

The Word of God is given to us as our daily bread. To read and study it is not an option; it is a necessary requirement for a successful Christian living. So if you find reading and studying the Scriptures unrewarding, then you have to pray earnestly before doing so, by asking the Holy Spirit to empower you so you can comprehend what you would not normally gain by leaning on your own understanding, and also teach you the truth you don't know.

Nehemiah 8:8 (NET Bible) says, "They read from the book of God's law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read." Now this is the main purpose of reading the Word of God - to gain the necessary understanding from what is read, and to practically and effectively apply the knowledge to all aspects of your life. However, it is unfortunately lamentable that some of God's people neglect this moral obligation or observe it occasionally.

Beloved, the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12 NASB). That means, it is full of divine life and power and its characterized by exerting influences. However, it is the Holy Spirit that quickens it and makes it come alive, as He reveals the meaning to you - when you read and respond to it wholeheartedly. God also reveals His prepared blessings to us by His Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God (see 2nd Corinthians 2:10 CSB).

In addition, God's Word consists of His glorious thoughts, will, and expressions. And Just like no one can know a person's thoughts except by that person's own spirit, no one can also comprehend God's thoughts except by God's own Spirit. Zero wonder 1st Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) reads, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." So we need the Spirit of God to help us understand the Scriptures when we read and study it.

As you do so prayerfully, your spirit will come alive such that it becomes very easy for you to process and digest the Word until the spiritual nutrients it imparts become part of you. Then it will strengthen, energise and direct you properly. Also as you believe what you read and put it to work, it will yield its results in accordance with God's will, because Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) assures us that God's Word will always produce and accomplish whatever desire that is demonstrated in line with it and achieve the purpose for which it was sent.

The only thing that can resist the flow and accomplishment of God's Word as we read and study to apply it - is doubt, as well as unbelief. Hebrews 4:2 (CEV) reads, "We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good." Reading and receiving the Word grant its light entrance to our spirit, but believing and digesting it establish it in our hearts. Understand this verity: The Bible is not like any other book. It is direct expressions from God in worded format. The wordings were breathed out by God, which denotes that we must approach it by consulting the Author, the precious Holy Spirit, in order to gain the best of it.

When Jesus was in the world, He usually thought and unveiled the Scriptures to His disciples, and all manner of people manifoldly benefited from His teaching ministry because He opened their understanding. On one occasion, He appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and the Bible clearly stated in Luke 22:45, that He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures (NKJV). Although He has ascended into heaven, He didn't leave us helpless in relation to Bible study.

He generously arranged with His Father in heaven to send us the precious Holy Spirit who would help and guide us insightfully, as we study the truth (see John 16:13 NLT). Question? Do you have the Holy Spirit resident in you? If you do, He will surely open your spiritual eyes to understand what you read. To that effect, Johannine literature numbered as 1st John 2:27 reads, "But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true - it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ" (NLT). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 1 Timothy 4:13; Acts 8:30-35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Revelation 1:3.

Exuberant Declaration:

All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and it's profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, that I may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. As I read, study and cogitate on the Bible with ardent alacrity, I'm habitually instructed in righteousness and it nourishes my spirit, which in turn, authorises and enables me to prevail in my prayer life and to excel in life. Glory to God!