ODJ: dig in
June 25, 2011
[The people celebrated] with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them (v.12).
READ: Nehemiah 8:1-12
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” (v.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 (v.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 (Heb. 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” (v.12) when you read and understand the Bible. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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?
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