Comprehending God's Truth

Excerpts from Study & Meditation from Jan Johnson

"I don't get it" is the phrase we use to indicate that we don't comprehend the meaning of what we read or heard. The purpose of studying the Bible is to "get it." We examine the text carefully to comprehend what the Holy Spirit is communicating through the words on the page. Although the Scripture itself says almost nothing about study, it does urge us to make the effort required to truly hear the Word and follow it, both of which involve comprehension. The goal of studying Scripture is to know God.

Studying the Bible commonly includes gathering basic facts, understanding the text,and applying the text. So first we must look at what the passage says, who is talking and who is being spoken to, and the historical background. Next we have to figure out what this says about God and what it says about us as humans. Then we look at the text and think about how we might pray upon the passage and how we will act.

Read Isaiah 11:1-9 and reflect upon it.

Also read Matthew 23:23-29 and John 5:39 and focus on the Pharisees and the teacher of the law to see that even though you can study the Scripture well but miss out on what God is saying.