Getting More Out of God's Word

My daily devotions, or quiet time, has been centered around the book of Hebrews recently.  I have been so encouraged by God's Truth!  And it is always thrilling when God reveals more of Himself to me - things I've not seen before, or when He gives me understanding of something that had previously alluded me!

One of the very valuable things I have learned to do is to start my quiet time by asking the Lord to show me from His Word what he wants me to see that day; not only that, but that He would show me how to use that truth in my life.  Don't you, as parents, strive to teach your children truth?  Don't you want them to understand how to use that truth?  What it means to them when they're going through their school day, for instance?  Well, our heavenly Father wants that for us, as well   - but too often we're in a big hurry to "check off" our quiet time from our daily "to do list" (if we bother with it at all), and we're not willing to slow down long enough to listen to what the Lord wants to share with us.

So many believers struggle with "knowing God's will" for their lives.  And we're quick to point out that God's Word has everything we need for "life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).  But here's the problem - we can't just pick up God's Word when we need something - like it's a Google search engine!  Knowing God's will, understanding what we need for life - that comes when we spend daily time in His Word, as we gain knowledge and wisdom and understanding and discernment for the day to day, everyday living "stuff".  We can't wait until some major crisis hits, or some major "life event" (a baby, a new job, a move, etc) happens; by then it's too late!  It's like trying to put snowtires on your car in the middle of the blizzard - it's a little too late at that point.

BUT, if we prepare ourselves by constant (daily), earnest, surrendered seeking of God through His Word, then when those times come, we'll already know that answer; we'll already be clothed in the armour of God (Eph.6:10-17), ready to tackle whatever God chooses to allow into our lives.

God's will is not a big, secret mystery.  He wants us to glorify Him.  He wants us to obey his commandments (and there are way more than 10!).  As we surrender ourselves with an attitude of service and humility; as we begin to grasp the idea that life is not all about making ourselves "happy;" rather, its all about God - then God begins to reveal his will for us as individuals. 

But we have to start with the basics - doing the simple things that we already know about.  After all, if God can't depend on us to do the simple things, how can he trust us with the big things?