The Whole ChurchSample

ENJOYING GOD'S WORD

People in the United States spend upwards of 10 billion dollars a year to improve their lives … and a good chunk of that goes directly to purchasing books on the subject of self-help. While many of these titles live up to their promise of teaching us to be and do better, the best-selling book of all time isn’t about optimization—it’s about transformation.

As the divinely inspired, inerrant words of God, the Bible can and does help us—but it’s not a self-help book. Yes, it instructs us in the ways of righteousness, but it’s not primarily a how-to manual, nor is it simply a guide to the Christian life—it’s so much more than even the sum of those things. What if we approached this ancient, foreign manuscript not as just another book, but as a feast?

Throughout the pages of Scripture, God has set a magnificent spread before us. Within the Word of God is a lavish feast, one that the Father invites us to return to over and over again to sustain our spirits. But the lasting joy of this meal centers around the who, not the what. God calls us, the whole church, to His banquet table so that we might find nourishment in His words and refreshment in His presence.

We must remember, however, that no matter how much we feast on God’s Word, we’re never above relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us through the truth and instruction found within. We must come in humility … and we must come with wonder.

What exactly is wonder? It’s related to curiosity, but it’s not focused on solving riddles and mysteries. It’s more a form of astonishment—an openness to the presence of God and the possibility of adventure or the surprise of revelation. Approaching Scripture with wonder is like walking into a room where a table is spread with beautiful foods of every kind and knowing we’ve been invited to partake. It’s simply delightful.

Likewise, we must also remember that our wonder-filled, humble pursuit of God through His Word will sometimes be a struggle for answers to life’s biggest questions, many of which won’t be addressed this side of heaven. But that’s okay—the Bible isn’t a textbook, and we’re not studying for a test. Ultimately, Scripture invites us into the presence of God Himself, the only true answer to our heart’s longings.

Scripture is a sumptuous feast and humility and wonder are the ways in which we can partake of it. Embrace the glory of wonder and set out to encounter God as the goal of your biblical study.

Digging Deeper

• Pride has a way of sneaking up on us and dulling our senses to what God might be saying. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where such an attitude might be hindering your exploration of Scripture.
• Take time to stop and wonder as you read your Bible. Write down every question that comes to mind during your study—don’t worry about finding the answers. The point right now is to ask the questions and allow yourself to experience not knowing. God will reveal the answers in His timing.
• Spend time reflecting on any unanswered questions you may have from reading the Bible. In prayer, bring each one to God—the One who knows all—and ask Him for a revelation of His presence in your daily life.

Prayer

Father, Your holy words are such a gift to me. I long to see Your face within the pages of my Bible, to know You better through the stories and letters, the books of law and wisdom. I acknowledge there’s so much more to You than meets my eye, and I stand in awe of You. By Your great and mighty Spirit, I pray You’ll be my guide as I dive into Scripture with eyes and heart wide open. Amen.