"I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
which we have heard and known,
and our fathers have told us."
Psalm 78:2-3
A man made a new year's resolution to read through the Bible. He asked his wife, "Why do you suppose the Bible can be so hard to understand. Sometime I don't understand what I'm reading." She said, "Well, I don't think anyone understands everything in the Bible, but God wants us to read and study the Bible. We need to ask Him for understanding." She had a good idea. The very one who inspired the writers of the Bible lives in every believer - the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught us that the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13).
The Bible is a book of many different types of literature. There is history, prophecy, allegory, parable, poetry and song, just to name a few. Jesus taught in parables. Not everyone understood what He was saying. Those who had eyes that were spiritually blind, and ears which were spiritually deaf, simply could not understand. Those who came with simple child-like faith understood, as God opened their eyes of understanding and their ears to hear.
It's always a good idea to ask God for understanding, every time we read the Bible or hear someone teach it. The Bible is the Book of the Spirit. The same Holy Spirit can open our understanding to the truth of God's word. He often uses others to explain God's truth to us.
God wants us to understand His word. However, when we understand it, He likewise wants us to be doers of the word (James 1:22). Understanding the Bible means that we are responsible to trust and obey.
God wants us to understand His word. However, when we understand it, He likewise wants us to be doers of the word (James 1:22). Understanding the Bible means that we are responsible to trust and obey.
Lord, make us doers of the word and not hearers only.
