- But why is the Word of God important?
The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. 1 Samuel 3:21
That’s what God’s Word does to our lives. It reveals God Himself.
We read God’s Word for encouragement, direction, comfort and people like me, to fill blog entries 😉 It’s time we realize that the primary reason God has given us His Word, is so that He may reveal Himself to us. Every other purpose is secondary.
- Have we realized this?
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, John 1:1
When we received Christ Jesus as the Lord of our life, we were precious infants in the hands of God. With a musical babble, long spans of peaceful sleep, hands in our mouth, drooling all the time, throwing little tantrums, kicking the air with our chubby legs and clinging really tight to the Father’s arms. God gave us the right to become His children. He was a beaming with a large smile. He looked with pride and said, “That’s my child”!
The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. Genesis 21:8
Isaac was a long awaited son for Abraham; however, he did not feast on his son’s birthday; instead, on the day his son was weaned from milk. Abraham chose to celebrate his son’s growth rather than his son’s birth.
God does enjoy our babyish exertions. But He celebrates when He see His children grow up. All along; He does not want to see an infant who can’t understand what He speaks rather he desires to see a grown up victorious young son or daughter to whom He can say, “Come, inherit my riches”.
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Revelation 21:7
The revelation of God in our lives retains us in holiness. For spiritual growth, being holy is indispensable. Without holiness, no one can see God.
- How does the revelation of God keep us Holy?
It helps us to overcome.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. I John 2:14
It gives us clarity so that we won’t be deceived.
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature…Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14
It gives us the Grace of God.
God’s grace is very different from His mercy.
Imagine, a motorist speeding at 100 km/hr on a city road in Chennai. He meets with a tragic accident, and is bleeding to death. An ambulance passes there by chance, and seeing the guy battling for his life, rescues him. He is treated and he gets his life back, but of course, with his share of bruises, fractures, and paralyzing pain.
This kind of rescue is mercy.
But the revelation of God in our life rescues us through Grace.
Imagine if the motorist had his path diverted and never met with an accident, he would now have his life, without bruises and pain. In Grace, there are no injuries; Grace redirects our roads to the right destination.
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
The revelation of God will ensure His intrusion for the sake of our prosperity, protection and peace.
Abram fought against the kings who invaded Sodom and Gomorrah and captured his nephew Lot. He pursued them along with 318 of his trained men and recovered all the goods and rescued Lot as well. After Abram returned, the king of Sodom went out to meet him.
But before this could happen, Melchizedek, the king of Salem and the priest of God Most high intruded. He met Abram, brought out bread and wine, and blessed him.
This intrusion, gave Abram a revelation.
So, when the king of Sodom came out to meet Abram and offered him riches; Abram said, “I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal”.
The intrusion of the High Priest can prevent us from touching the things of Sodom.
Next time, I hold my Bible in my hands, I am going to set aside, all my childish wants and needs and ask God to reveal Himself through the words inspired by the Spirit.
It is exciting to know that God is eager to enlighten His children about Himself.
What a loving Father we have!! A Father whose greatness cannot be fathomed, but yet longs to manifest Himself to His children.
FAQs
How much of the Bible should I read everyday ?
We can’t put a rule there, because physical appetites vary and so does spiritual appetite. Your reading of God’s Word is proportional to the hunger you have. The question here is not how much of the Bible can I read, but you need to work on growing your appetite. Babies don’t eat much, but young warriors need much food for a constant supply of energy. It is healthy to have a good appetite. And make sure that you don’t get yourself spiritually anorexic.
Sometimes, when I read a Scripture something like an inspiration rises within me and I feel led towards a particular direction. How do I know if it is from God and not my own ?
Ask God to confirm it. When God wants to take you in a particular direction, He will confirm it in many ways that you can recognize immediately. But you need to make sure that you are sensitive to His voice. Robert Murray, the Scottish preacher of deep piety and prayer used to say, “When you are reading a book in a dark room, and come to a difficult part, you take it to a window to get more light. So take your Bibles to Christ.”
Courtesy
Philadelphia Youth
Excerpts of other sessions coming soon!!!
My Master's voice 