If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve heard it over and over again: get into God’s Word. Why don’t we? Why are we content to let our pastors, Sunday school and Bible teachers spoon-feed us? Because it takes time and effort. The Bible is a very big and sometimes daunting book. Additionally, some people just don’t know where to begin or how to proceed. Gratefully, in our day and age, there is a lot of help available to us.
But I believe the biggest reason we don’t get into the Bible ourselves is because we don’t know the treasures we’re missing—freeing truths from the very mouth of the Creator and Lover of our souls.
God desires to speak to you—yes, you—directly, straight from His Word!
Right where you need it; right when you need it!
When you read God’s love letter to you with an open heart, you can trust that the Holy Spirit will give you understanding (1 Cor 2:10-16).
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. (v 12)
Sure, you can let others teach you the Bible, and you should listen to those more biblically trained than you. But unless you dig into the Word yourself, you’ll really be missing out! Neither will you appreciate what you’ve learned or remember it as much.
We each have to dig up our OWN treasures from God’s Word
It’s like the difference between climbing to the top of a mountain or being dropped there by helicopter. Sure, the view is the same. But I guarantee you that the one who puts out the effort, who huffed and puffed up that mountain, will enjoy that spectacular view far more than the one who took the easy way up.
The treasures you dig for yourself will be extra-special to you.
You and I may find the same truth, but it’ll be precious to you for a different reason. You see, our experiences in how we each came to believe and embrace a particular biblical truth are different—and how we apply it will be different too.
Perhaps you’ve never realized that you relate to your Savior in a unique way. Of course, there are similarities in our relationship with God, but our personalities, abilities, passions, needs, experiences, and circumstances are all different—and therefore our relationship with Him will be unique (See book, Our Knowable God).
The Lord knows exactly what truth you need to grasp at this point in your journey with Him and will show you where to dig.
As the Holy Spirit leads you to discover and understand these precious jewels of truth in an experiential way, your soul will rejoice. You’ll remember these special God-moments much more easily—just like we do with our loved ones. That’s because our brains store emotionally charged events differently.
It’s a good thing God’s Word is infinite! Or you and I would try to hoard these treasures for ourselves!
However, we can (and should) share these wonderful truths with each other. We can exclaim, “Eureka! Look at this amazing truth I just found!” Then our hearts will be united in spirit, glorifying our great Redeemer from our own individual hearts together in true worship.
So, my friend, go dig up your own precious gems. I will continue to do so as well. Then we won’t perish in any present or future affliction (Ps 119:92). [Hear what God says in Proverbs 2:1-12]
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.162
(Pr 2:1-12 NLT, emphasis added)
All these treasures will be worth the effort! I promise—He promises!
Relevant Resources
Does the Bible Seem Confusing?
Are You Hungry for God’s Word?
How to Read The Bible: 5 Memorable Steps to Transformation (Chip Ingram)
Unless noted Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV 1984). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.