There are three primary ways in which it is possible to read the Word of God. It may be read from a sense of duty; it may be resorted to for help, support or guidance; and it may be read from delight in Him whose Word it is and whose precious treasures of grace and blessing it unfolds. For some, these three methods mark different stages of spiritual life. They may begin by reading from a sense of obligation, then proceed in due time to reading for help and teaching, and finally read because they realize that God’s words are “more precious than gold, yea, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the dropping of the honeycomb” (Psa. 19:1010More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10) JND). This last method, as many have found, is the only true way of Bible study, for the soul that so ponders upon the revelation which God has been pleased to make of Himself is in communion with His own mind and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
There is a possibility, however, of going back from this point after it has been reached. To lose heart for the Word of God is a clear sign of a bad state of soul. This is sometimes concealed by the pernicious habit of attempting to feed upon the truth discovered and prized in former years. There seems nothing more humbling or hardening than the habit of reproducing over and over again the precious things gleaned and treasured up through past exercises and studies. To speak much of past blessings is often to confess that we have nothing to tell of God’s present activity and power. If we are to be channels of blessing, what is communicated should be fresh. The one who is in the present activity of faith in the risen and glorified Christ and is ever drawing from the inexhaustible fountain is the one who becomes the channel of the rivers of living water (John 7:3838He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)).
The Person in the Word
What will assist us to read the Scriptures with delight? Above all, let us seek to sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary, and to hear as we read His Word. The Word indeed should never be separated from the Person of Him who speaks. When the Jews asked our blessed Lord, “Who art Thou?” He replied, “Altogether that which I also say to you” (John 8:2525Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. (John 8:25) JND). By this He signified that what He said and taught perfectly expressed Himself and contained the unfolding of what He was. Remembering this when we read His words, we not only hear Him speak to us, but through what He speaks He discovers Himself to our souls. Nothing so keeps us in dependence, while we read, as the sense of being in the presence of God in order to receive divine communications. This is also of primary importance.
Regular and Systematic Reading
In addition to this, it greatly helps if we read the Scriptures regularly and systematically. The more we read, the more we desire to read. If nothing is allowed to interfere with the seasons set apart for this purpose, the reading will soon become as much a necessity as our daily food. A well-known servant of the Lord made it a point never to read less than two chapters the first thing in the morning. Remarking upon his habit, he said, “You may call me legal, but I cannot do without my two chapters!” Many have discovered, on the other hand, that when they have left their reading to favorable opportunities, they soon found how little time was left at their disposal. Even our blessed Lord, speaking through the prophet, says, “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned [learner]” (Isa. 50:44The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (Isaiah 50:4)). His ear was opened to hear every morning what Jehovah might communicate, and in this blessed attitude of learning and dependence He is our example.
Dependence and Learning
These two things — dependence and learning —are always connected. This is exemplified in the action of our blessed Lord towards His disciples after His resurrection. After reminding them that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning Himself, He opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-4544And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (Luke 24:44‑45)). Later He opened the heart of Lydia to attend unto the things which were spoken of Paul (Acts 16:1414And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. (Acts 16:14)). Whether, therefore, for power of understanding or for power of reception, we are entirely dependent on Him. It is in proportion to our dependence on Him that He acts in us by the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand “the things concerning Himself” which are revealed in God’s Word. (See John 16:13-1513Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15).)
Seeing God’s Purpose
Finally, we must realize that Christ Himself is the key to the whole Bible. He is the object of all God’s purposes, whether in respect of the earthly or the heavenly people. He is, moreover, the center of all God’s ways. It is around Him that all the facts of revelation point, and to Him all types and prophecies look. In the administration of the fullness of times it is God’s sovereign pleasure and purpose to head up all things in the Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. If Christ and His glory are not before the soul in our scriptural studies, we shall not profit because we will not be in communion with the mind of God. Leave out Christ, and the Bible becomes a dead letter, provoking criticism and controversy at every turn; bring in Christ, and the Book is instilled with life and power, a living unity, because it reveals a living Person, and the reader is filled with adoration and praise.
Adapted from The Christian Friend,
Vol. 19, p. 113