Deeper Life #212

And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

—Nehemiah 8:12

THIS IS ALWAYS THE RESULT of rightly understanding the Word of God. Understanding the Bible makes us better fathers and mothers, better husbands and wives, better sons and daughters, better citizens, and better human beings.

One reason why the Bible is not read clearly is because we have the habit of teaching from isolated texts, and the teacher too often takes the text as a title. The way to get back to reading the whole Word of God, and to reading it with understanding, is to live in Bible territory—to regulate one’s life and experience in every detail by God’s revealed law.

We must rely on His Holy Spirit to interpret the Bible, of course, so that the commonplace moods are stripped from us as we listen.

Prayer Thought: As I understand the Word of God, help me to grow in personal holiness.

SUGGESTED READING: Nehemiah 8:9–18