Deeper Life #72

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

—John 15:7

THE ONLY RELIABLE WAY TO be truly guided by God is to assimilate the Word of God to your character. Yet even that spiritual truth will damage instead of help you if the Holy Spirit is not present.

Have you ever noticed that the most hardened people are not the backsliders, but preachers or teachers who thunder out the truth of Scripture, yet make no application of it to themselves? Scripture reveals God’s will only if we allow His Holy Spirit to apply it to our circumstances.

The Bible is not a book that you can open and say, “Now, Lord, put some magic into my soul that will open up the meaning of this book.” There is only one way really to understand the Word, and that is through wrestling with the circumstances and happenings of life. God will take His servants through things no one else seems to endure, because He wants them to understand the deep secrets of His Word.

Prayer Thought: When I complain, Lord Jesus, about the circumstances of life, allow me to realize that You are sharing the truth with me.

SUGGESTED READING: John 15:1–8