Led by the SpiritExemplo

Supported From the Inside

I have hidden your word in my heart. - Psalm 119:11

Annette’s grandson pointed to a cicada shell, “Look grandma, an exoskeleton!” A hasty online search confirmed he was right. A cicada nymph sheds its old structure to grow into its adult form. Humans, on the other hand, have endoskeletons because our support is on the inside — from our bones and cartilage. Annette clicked off her phone and asked her grandson, “What would happen if you lost your skeleton?” He replied, “I would die!”

So would you, and so would I. And not just physically. Our spiritual foundation is Christ who speaks to us through the Scriptures. The Spirit of God uses the Bible to grow us into mature children of our heavenly Father. The Scriptures are not an exoskeleton that we shed when we grow up. We never outgrow the spiritual foundation of the Bible. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, its truth supports us from the inside.

Did you notice the inside language in today’s reading? “I have tried hard to find you;” “I have hidden your word in my heart;” “I have rejoiced in your laws;” “I will study your commandments;” and “I will delight in your decrees” (Psalm 119:10-16).

We thrive in our life with Jesus as we hunger for His gracious message: “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (v. 103). The Spirit helps the Scriptures go down deep and strengthens us, from the inside.

Mike Wittmer

How does the Holy Spirit help you grow in your understanding of the Bible? What can you do — what should you do — when you don’t feel spiritually hungry?

Heavenly Father, may the Spirit help me seek You and Your ways as I read and study the Scriptures.