Becoming a Student of the Word
He said to me, "O mortal, eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. He said to me, "Mortal, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it." Then I ate it, and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey. Ezekiel 3:1-3 NRSV
Series: Everyday Apprentice
Devotional: 6 of 9
Reflecting on today's scripture passage (Ezekiel 3:1-3 NRSV), Richard Foster wrote, "Ezekiel internalizes the word of God until it becomes a part of his being." Like the prophet Ezekiel, Jesus is calling you and me, as His apprentices, to become students of the Word - men and women who are committed to the daily rhythm of feasting on Scripture. Slowly reading, meditating, studying, and memorizing it. Allowing every word from Genesis to Revelation to wash over us so that our lives are transformed from the inside out.
Today, we are living in an incredible time in history, when there is certainly no shortage of helpful resources available to every follower of Jesus who desires to grow in their knowledge of God's Word. Scripture again and again encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 18:15), but also warns that knowledge without love puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1). With this in mind, how are we to safely plumb the depths of wisdom and instruction that the Bible has to offer, without allowing it to become a source of pride in our lives?
Is it possible that the answer to this question is less about adopting the right techniques for how to study the Bible, and more about the posture of our hearts as we approach God's Holy Word?
A posture of humility: Humility reminds us that, as Jesus' apprentices, we are to remain forever teachable, willing to learn from His faithful followers who have come before us. From this place, we learn to handle Scripture with great care and responsibility. With each passing day, the Holy Spirit invites us to draw close, approaching our study of Scripture in a humble posture.
A posture of surrender: As our understanding of Scripture grows, it can be easy to lose our awe of God and the unfathomable mystery of who He is. When we lose our awe of God, we are prone to fall into the trap of thinking that we can put God in a nice, neat, and orderly box. Starting every new day on our knees in a posture of surrender reminds us that He is our Master, and we are His servants. That He is the Creator of all things, and we are His Creation. And that it is His will be done, not ours.
A posture of trust: Trust in Jesus creates the necessary space and time for the Word to marinate in our minds, slowly moving down into our hearts. When trust in His ways and timing becomes our default way of living, we no longer need to be in a hurry to get through the Bible. Instead, our time alone with Jesus becomes more about heart transformation and less about acquiring more information about God.
Take a few moments to get quiet with the Lord. Under the safety of His presence, allow Him to reveal the current condition of your heart. As you lean into His Word, consider how He might be cultivating in you a posture of humility, surrender, and trust.
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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