MORNING MANNA          3-9-21

I almost hesitate to say that you can read the Bible and not receive some benefit from it, because it works in ways far beyond our understanding. Yet I am compelled by our text to acknowledge that we can read the Bible without getting what God desires for us. It is one thing to read and another to understand. Sadly many folks feel they have discharged their daily duty by merely reading a certain portion of God’s Word. They then lay the Bible down without understanding, receiving, or obeying what they just read.

One of the major problems in this regard is that we never approach the Bible with what some call “an open mind”. The fact is we approach the Bible with preconceived ideas, thoughts, and beliefs that are not creditable. We never open the Bible with a mental blank slate, or empty vessel. We approach it with beliefs, ideas, questions and attitudes based on what we heard, read, imagined, or experienced. And these can affect our conclusions as to the meaning of the scriptures, which is a tragedy.

This was one of the most obvious problems with the Pharisees and others to whom Jesus ministered. Their thoughts tended to be tainted by traditions which blinded them to the truth. Although they searched the scriptures they entirely missed the message about the Messiah, and that was fatal. They were convinced that they were right, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. That’s why religious people are the most difficult to reach. Believing they are right they reject the truths that they need. They have a false sense of security and refuse to entertain the thought that they might be wrong. What about you? Could you be wrong?

Searching the Scriptures is the right thing to do, but everytime we open the Bible we should ask “What do the Scriptures say?” Our mission is to get the message God has for us. And any sincere serious study of the Scriptures will lead to discovering the truth regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often our mind is cluttered with less serious things, or corrupted by tradition, or confused by preconceived ideas.That’s why we need to start every study in prayer asking God to enlighten our minds and seeking the help of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us. – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346