In Search of Inspiration

Have you every read a passage of Scripture, and wondered how it applies to your life?  Have you ever been struggling with some decision, but can't seem to find a passage in the Bible to offer you guidance? Have you been wrestling with a sin and can't seem to shake it?

There are times as I approach my daily Bible reading in desperate need.  I need to see the face of God.  I need to have my sins confronted.  I need vision and direction.  Yet, in spite of my deep need I come away from my reading feeling empty.

These times can make us feel as if the Bible doesn't really work.  Why bother reading it?  However, we need to realize what the real problem is.  The Bible says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16).  Therefore, the problem cannot be Scripture, it must lie elsewhere.  

Often we approach Scripture in the the wrong way.  We treat the Bible as if it is any other book.  Sometimes we treat it like a Magic 8-ball.  We approach with unrealistic expectations.  Sometimes we approach Bible reading as just another task to be checked off our to-do lists.  When we make these mistakes, it's no mystery as to why we get little to nothing out of Scripture reading.

• Just another book: When we read the Bible like any other book, we disrespect the Bible. The Scriptures were written by holy men, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and are God's revelation of himself to us.  When we read the Scriptures, we meet God.  The Holy Bible reveals a holy God.  You can't just pull your Bible of the shelf like it's a self-help book or life-coaching manual. 

• A Magic 8-ball:  I have also heard this referred to as "lucky dipping." With this approach, one takes his Bible and opens it at random.  Without looking, he then points to a verse.  Once a finger lands on the page, the nearest verse is read and then applied to the individual's life.  This method leads to a lot of misinterpretation, because it neglects the rules for sound interpretation.  You can't just ask the Bible a question, shake it up, and expect God to "speak" to you. 

• Unrealistic expectations:  We often want quick fixes to our problems.  Sinful behavior that may have been a part of our lives for years, rarely go away because we read a verse of Scripture.  More often, it takes years of faithful obedience and hard work to overcome sinful tendencies.  We should expect quick fixes.  Our God is the Ancient of Days who revealed the Scriptures over a period of 1500 years.  He doesn't get in a hurry.  Maturing in Christ takes time and effort, there are no short cuts.

• Checking off our list:  When we approach Scripture as if it is just something to check off our list, we do ourselves a disservice, even as we disrespect it.  God desires that we meditate on the Scripture.  Contrary to modern concepts of meditation, that focus on emptying the mind, biblical meditation focuses on filling the mind with the Scripture.  Biblical meditation tries to understand all the implications and applications of a passage, in light of its context and purpose.  When you half-heartedly or absent-mindedly read the Scripture, it is not likely to have a lasting affect upon you.

When we approach the Scripture in the right manner, it will bring about transformation in us.  We must combine reverence and faith as we read.  We also need to give careful thought to what we are reading.  We are most benefited when we combine careful thought and heart searching, when we read the Bible.  May God bless you as you search his Word for help and hope.

What is your approach the reading Scripture?  What tips do you have to understanding and applying the Bible?