We need to be ready to pick up the Bible to study it again and again and again.
Why? Because no matter how long you've been studying the Bible, there's always something new that God wants to teach in His word.
Case in point, recently, I thought I'd be studying something else but ended up in the Book of Micah. Personally, I let the Spirit of the Lord lead me to wherever He needs me to study each day. I've learned that He will teach me something one way or another.
It felt like I hadn't read this particular Book in a long time. That was until I got to a certain verse and thought, Hey, this reminds me of something the Lord taught me not long ago. I flipped through my notebook only to realize I'd actually studied Micah approximately six weeks prior!
I was stunned and sat there with all sorts of concerns. Did I not pay enough attention the last time I read Micah? To answer that question, I went to my notes from that period. They were rich with understanding on issues involving myself and others. So, I couldn't claim I wasn't paying attention.
Could it be that I wasn't getting enough sleep or something? Was that why I'd forgotten how recently I'd studied the Book? That could have been possible but I noticed that my sleep pattern didn't interfere with the depth of knowledge I received from the Lord while studying both times.
So what was it? I turned to God for the answer and it was straightforward. The Lord wanted me to remember that the Bible is a new book every time I open it. This is by His design. A mystery. The Bible will always have something new to reveal or to remind me of what I need to know.
I immediately understood that this lesson wasn't to make me feel uncertain. I already knew that the Bible is evergreen and will always be fresh in every era an. Nevertheless, this practical lesson certainly humbled me for my own good. It was to ensure I never think that I've learned everything there is to know from God's word. For that will never be the case. After all, we are told in Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
God's word is alive, dynamic, and endures forever. Though penned centuries ago, it's significance never dims with the passage of time. We must therefore never allow our Bibles - His word - to get 'dusty' be it physically or in our hearts. When last did you look at your Life Manual and have quiet time where you asked God to reveal the deep insights within? If it's been a while, make some time to do so today and continue to do so regularly. There's something new He wants to teach you.
May the word of God be a delight that is new every morning to you, IJMN Amen. For more, please see:
Lord, I pray for people who are afraid.
You are God, mighty and powerful; Awesome in glory, fearful in praises doing wonders; our only fear and dread (isaiah 8:13, matthew 10:28).
He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. -- Hebrews 2:15
Lord, I use the sword of the spirit, the word of God, to pierce through the fear in the hearts of people. It is written, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. I bind that spirit of fear and its fellows and cast them out. Instead, I loose the Spirit of God upon them. Perfect love casts out all fear, so let Your perfect love restore them to a sound mind.
IJMN amen
Awesome God, He who is highly lifted up, the great Master of the Universe --
I come before You to intercede for children around the world. I cry out to You to let nothing stop them from coming to You. It is written that You love the little children, so I ask that You would preserve them and keep them blameless till the end.
Remember oh Lord, Your promise to break every evil hand that comes against Your children, and that You Yourself will contend with those who contend with us. The children will be ornaments and will be as sharp arrows in a quiver. Bless and protect them, great Lord, so that they are godly offspring. In Jesus' mighty name I have prayed, amen.