2 Samuel 15:1-22; John 18:15-24; Psalms 119:97-104; Proverbs 26:9-12
Psalms: “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalms 119:97-104 CSB)
The Bible is unique from all other books in many ways, but specifically in this way: to fully understand the truths in the book, you must be taught by the book’s Author. Sure, you can study the Bible and have an academic understanding of the book, but unless you have a relationship with the Author and an open heart and mind to be taught by the Author, you will never fully understand it. Our relationship to the Lord, the Bible’s “executive author,” is determined by how we relate to His will and His word. If we obey His will and treasure His word, then by His Holy Spirit, He will teach us His ways and open our understanding to the fullness of His word, His will, and His ways. In this stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist describes how he allows the Lord to instruct him: 1) he meditates on God’s word, 2) he obeys God’s word, and 3) he enjoys God’s word. Just studying the Bible like you would a text book may give you an appreciation for the book, but it won’t give you a full understanding. We must also meditate on the truths of God’s word… pondering what we have learned… rolling it over and over in our minds until we fully grasp, understand and apply what we have learned. Beyond just knowing what the word of God says, we also must do what the word of God says… we must avoid what the God says is evil and we must do what God says is good and righteous. We must also grow to enjoy the word of God like we enjoy good food, and allow ourselves to develop a taste for God’s truth. If we are faithful in these things, the Lord, by His Holy Spirit, will instruct us and lead us into all truth.
Jamie Hicks 