I’ve heard that the Bible makes little to no sense to the unbeliever. It takes the presence of the Holy Spirit within the reader to bring the words alive. It also takes the urging of the Holy Spirit to prompt us to dig deeper into Scripture. Once we “get it,” God’s word will be like a fire, and like a hammer.
Do you pray before you read the Bible? Honestly, I forget to, but I know it makes a difference and I want to remember to do so from this day forward. Just a simple prayer will do: Father, please reveal what You want me to learn through Your word today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
I’m reminded of the Ethiopian trying to understand Isaiah 53:7-8. He needed Philip to explain it to him (Acts 8:26-40). We have the Holy Spirit to increase our understanding. (We also have study Bibles, cross-references, commentaries, and the internet.) I believe the Bible is difficult to understand without the Holy Spirit.
Bible Verse of the Day
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord,
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 NKJV
Commentary
David Guzik shared this quote from Adam Clarke:
Adam Clarke wrote a wise caution against the thought that the word of God can do its work without the Spirit of God. “Let us take heed lest we think, as some have thought and affirmed, that the sacred writings are quite sufficient of themselves to enlighten, convince, and convert the soul, and that there is no need of the Holy Spirit. Fire itself must be applied by an agent in order to produce its effects; and surely the hammer cannot break the rock in pieces, unless wielded by an able workman. And it is God’s Spirit alone that can thus apply it; for we find it frequently read and frequently spoken, without producing any salutary effects.” (Clarke)
Prayer
Father, we are so grateful for Your living word. Please remind us to look to the Holy Spirit while reading Scripture so that we can fully understand Your will, Your character, and what You want us to learn from Your words. May we feel Your presence in the pages of the Bible and study it, hunger and thirst for it. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer Theme
This week we’ve been praising God’s living word:
