Called to Ministry, Called to ScriptureUzorak

Saturating our lives with Scripture begins with absorbing God’s Word and soaking it in. While all believers must nourish their faith on the truth of God’s Word, it’s especially important for those of us who are called to ministry leadership.

After the death of Moses, God anointed Joshua as the leader of his people. The Lord’s primary charge to Joshua was to continually meditate on his Word and obey it. This would not only ensure his success, but it would also assure him of God’s presence and blessing. In the same way, our faithfulness and confidence in the Lord will be determined by our devotion and obedience to God’s Word.

Our reliance on Scripture begins by recognizing it as the primary source of our spiritual delight. Whether you typically enjoy reading, soaking in God’s Word is not like reading a novel, a biography, or a literary classic. The Bible is no ordinary book! It consists of 66 books written by 40 different authors over a period of 1500 years. Amazingly, all the writings are fully compatible, complementing one another without any contradiction. And because of the more than 25,000 ancient manuscripts, it is the most authenticated text in history!

The Bible is more than just those important facts. It is the Word of God. In other words, Scripture is the written expression of who and how God is. It is God speaking to us personally, revealing his mercy and grace, his power and majesty, and his love for you and me.

The Bible floods our hearts with supernatural gladness as we marvel at his glory and rejoice in his goodness. When we consume it, Scripture becomes the delight and joy of our hearts. It comforts us in affliction, cherishes God’s blessings in our lives, provides wisdom, and celebrates the greatness of our God and King! Scripture gives the blueprint for building a truly satisfying life.

It is the treasure map that leads to true riches in Christ and the personal invitation that requests our presence to enjoy sweet fellowship with our Savior. Its value is immeasurable, and its worth is more than “an abundance of pure gold.” No wonder the psalmist exclaimed, “How I love your instruction!”

In addition to delighting in the personal encounter, we can also delight in its divine nature and timeless truth. The broader story of Scripture reveals God’s heart through the historical accounts of creation, sin, and separation, the formation of his covenant people, his plan of redemption through the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and his eternal glory that all believers will share with him. But the Bible is not just a summary of redemptive history. God continues to speak to us through what he has spoken. His Word is alive and active, and he uses it to work in our lives. In this way, it is powerful, penetrating, and personal.