Have you ever tried to do something that was really hard, but stuck it out and felt rewarded when it finally clicked? Although hard is annoying at times, it always feels so good to achieve. It’s kind of like reading and understanding Scripture. A lot of us view the Bible as a book that’s too hard to understand, so we don’t even try. However, when we try to understand the storyline, it makes so much more sense, and the best part? It’s relatable!
Almost everyone throughout Scripture failed at trying to serve and/or understand God. In Genesis alone, we see Adam and Eve eat from the one tree they weren’t supposed to eat from. We see the first murder and blasphemy. We see what it looks like to have a culture turn against God in the times of Noah, and what it looks like to strive for our own glory as the people tried to build a tower to the sky. We see doubt when Abraham and Sarah were told they would have a child in their old age. We see what it looks like when we take matters into our own hands without consulting God. We see lying, rape, mockery, war, and a big power struggle. Throw in some sibling rivalry and some hard times, and that basically sums up Genesis, the first book of the Bible. But do you know what else we see through all of this? God’s grace to so many people who messed up.
The good news in all of this is that God’s still in the business of giving grace, but through His Son, Jesus, which is what the entire Bible is really about. John 1:16 tells us that “Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Most of the Old Testament deals with the law that was given to Moses throughout the first five books of the Bible, which we call the Torah. What we see is that the people could not keep the law. Therefore, God “... gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). When we understand Scripture as that and not a bunch of rules and regulations that are impossible to keep, there is freedom and so much beauty.
Friends, reading and understanding Scripture is a lot like learning a new hobby or sport. We can’t just pick it up and get it on the first try. It takes practice and a lot of it. Each time I read Scripture, I understand more and more. It’s imperative that we are people of the Word. It gives us a greater understanding of God, His character and heart. But, it also teaches us how to live within a community, how to serve God and others, how to love and forgive, and how to discern what’s from God and what’s not, which is more and more important each day. In all of that, it also shapes us and changes us on a heart level, which is really life changing and life giving.
Last week, I had a friend challenge her followers to read the Bible, and that is my challenge to us all: Start reading Scripture regularly. Read it, wrestle with it, chew on it, ask questions, and pray about what God really wants you to know. Yes, it is hard, but golly, it is worth it. If you need help, I’m here for it.
Have a great week, friends!
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