Tuesday 24th February - Reading the Bible

DAILY BYTE

We’ve all experienced the pleasure of reading a book that we thoroughly enjoyed, but that has no lasting impact. Such books are entertaining and informative, but not life changing. When we finish these books, we have more knowledge but not more character. We are still the same persons we were before.

Unfortunately, this is how we sometimes read the Bible. We look for information, but don’t personally interact with what we learn. We don’t expect our characters to be challenged and changed. The purpose of the Bible is not just information but transformation. The Bible was never written just to be read, it was intended to be listened to and obeyed as well.

With this in mind, today’s devotion is about an ancient form of reading and listening to the Bible. It is called the LECTIO DIVINA, and has been acknowledged as a particular spiritual discipline for many centuries. LECTIO means reading; while DIVINA means divine. In other words, it means sacred or holy reading. LECTIO DIVINA is a slow, contemplative reading and praying of the Scriptures that enables you to experience a life-changing union with God. It involves a number of steps, each of which is outlined below.

1. This method of Bible study begins with slow, reverential reading. You must take your time with it. Let the words sink in one at a time. We’re not accustomed to reading this way. Many of us read the Bible as we read a novel or the newspaper—the main purpose being to finish. But in transformational Bible study, we will begin with a small passage and read it once. Then we slow down and read it again and again.

2. After you read the passage two or three times, meditate on it. That simply means taking time to think about it. Ask yourself questions such as, “What was Paul saying? What did Jesus mean? Why did the Psalmist express it this way?” What does the passage actually say? Do I understand its context? How might this change my life?” Use a commentary if you have to, but ensure that you think carefully over the passages for yourself, asking questions and considering all the possible meanings.

3. This leads us to the next step in the process, which is to pray over the Scripture you are reading. Prayer is a conversation or dialogue with God, not a monologue. We need to listen as much as we speak. Spend significant time in quiet before God, and only then begin to pour out your heart to God, asking him for strength, guidance, and direction.

4. The last step of this process is contemplation. At first glance, contemplation and meditation seem like synonyms, but there is a distinction between the two. Contemplation is the process of nailing down how to put God’s Word into action. As you prayerfully read the Scripture, you discover biblical truths, principles, warnings, and commands. The goal is to define what specific thing God wants you to do to put these truths to work in your life. This is what it’s all leading up to—that we will become “doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22 NASB).
Why don’t you set aside 20-30 minutes today to practice Lectio Divina? Try Psalm 15 to begin with.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Lord God, thank-you for the gift of the Bible. We pray that you would teach us to carefully read, listen to and obey it. Help us to have the discipline to regularly and consistently personally interact with your Word. In the name of Jesus, who is Word and Life. Amen.

FOCUS VERSE

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (MSG)

There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.