Determined to grow a vegetable garden, I dragged my shovel to a sunny patch of land and pitched it into the soil. The ground was as hard as cement, but I kept digging. Eventually, a hunk of sod came loose. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. It was rewarding to finally “dig in”—to get beyond the surface.
In order to “dig in” to the Bible, we need to spend time with it. Rushed reading is the enemy of deep understanding. When Ezra read the Book of the Law to the Israelites, he started early in the morning and continued until noon to give the people plenty of time to absorb God’s truth (Nehemiah 8:3). We too need principles buried in the Bible.
Once we carve out some reading time, we need to give God’s Word our full attention. When Ezra started to read, “all the people listened closely” Nehemiah 8:3). Like the Israelites, we need to concentrate on the Bible’s content. Switch off the TV! Remove the earbuds! Turn off the cell phone! It’s okay to disconnect from the world in order to connect with God.
Connecting with God through the pages of the Bible comes from understanding its content. After Ezra’s reading, the Levites “clearly explained the meaning” to the Israelites (Nehemiah 8:8). Today we can consult commentaries and Bible notes, or visit church leaders for help in grasping God’s Word and applying it to our lives.
If you find yourself just skimming Scripture out of habit or obligation, here’s a challenge. Schedule some uninterrupted time with God’s living Word (Hebrews 4:12). Strive for understanding—dig in! Like the Israelites, you may weep when the words reach your soul (Nehemiah 8:8-9). But you may also “celebrate with great joy” (Nehemiah 8:12) when you read and understand the Bible.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 5:1-39
More:
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 to learn what happens when we dig into God’s Word. Read James 1:21-25 to see the importance of applying God’s Word to our lives.
Next:
Why do we sometimes read our Bibles but fail to get deep into God’s Word? What steps will you take this week to dig into the Bible?
pampauley65 on June 25, 2011 at 10:35 am
The scripture reading for Our Daily Bread today is 2 Timothy 3:10-17. Since that is one of the “more” scriptures here there must be something really important for us to learn from these verses. When more than one of my devotionals in one day use the same scriptures it causes me to “dig deeper” into their meaning. Thank you, Jennifer.
GChoo on June 25, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Jennifer, thank you for reminding us to ‘dig in’ to God’s Word to be able to understand our heavenly Father.
How timely is this message. In fact, i have just finished doing some house chore. My house is peaceful and quiet at the moment which is perfect for me to worship and read God’s Word. However, i realised one mistake, i am feeling tired from the earlier housekeeping. This has affected my concentration. This devotion has reminded me that i should have gone straight to read God’s Word instead of my housework first. I think, many a times i have allowed the busyness of life to take priority over God’s Word and fully focus on Him alone. I pray for wisdom and strength to come to God first each day.
jennifer benson schuldt on June 25, 2011 at 8:48 pm
GChoo,
Thanks for sharing this snapshot of your life with us! What you wrote expresses what so many of us feel–the tug between the duties and responsibilities in our world, and our need for God’s Word. Reading the Bible first gives us the chance to think about it while we’re taking out thr trash, driving to work, or washing the dishes. 🙂 The Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path! Psalm 119:105
daisymarygoldr on June 25, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Or how about that Bible study which continued until midnight in Acts 20:7? Many precious gems of truth are unearthed when we dig in the Word of God. The meaning of Bible passages is plain and simple but certain “hard to understand” truths can be unraveled only when we excavate patiently and gently according to the instructions of the Holy Spirit.
Personally, I did not have the privilege of using a concordance. I study the Bible in the school of Christ, on my knees, prayerfully asking God to reveal Himself through His written Word. I find Scripture is its own best interpreter and commentator. When a section is hard to understand we can find an explanation in some other portion of the Bible. Speculation and tweaking of scripture portions to suit and justify one’s own personal views is not a profitable practise.
When we correlate scripture with scripture, it is so beautiful to see the NT as a fulfilled reality of the types and shadows of the OT. To delve deeper requires going beyond the literal to draw out spiritual applications for the present. For ex. in the literal sense the story of the prostitute or adulterous woman may not hold meaning for all because all have not committed those acts. But when it is interpreted as spiritual adultery it applies to all of us.
At work, I often encourage study groups. Likewise, an extensive Bible study is best when it is done individually and corporately—whether in a small cell group or in a larger gathering in addition to the Sunday church services. In our daily family devotion time each person gets to share insights and there is so much we learn from one another… even from our little children.
To wean ourselves from milk and eat strong meat will enhance our spiritual growth from infancy to maturity. Love for God motivates us to dig deeper into His Word and will enable us to love others with understanding. In my experience, an in-depth study radically transforms our attitudes, feelings, and behavior patterns to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Thanks Jennifer for prodding us to dig in!
jennifer benson schuldt on June 25, 2011 at 9:39 pm
I like what you said about praying to understand the Bible! Psalm 119:18 expresses the Psalmist’s longing for God to open his eyes to the truth of God’s Word. These words can inspire us to do the same thing. Psalm 119: 27,33 also!