Day Thirty eight - Read the Bible with expectation

Day Thirty eight  -  Read the Bible with expectation

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  Most of the people in the church hear the Bible all the time.  So why don’t we have more faith?  It is not how much we go through the Bible,  but how much the Bible goes through us.  The Bible is made up of words, and if we look at them as mere words,  our faith will remain stagnant.  We must see the Bible as the Word of God.

What difference will it make in your life if you really see the Bible as God’s Words?  When we read the Bible,  we need to read it with expectation. We first must desire to know God and to have Him speak to us.  As we seek His will each day,   we will read the Bible expecting God to answer the questions and needs that come up day to day.  When our heart is prepared to come into His presence to actually hear and to obey,  then our faith will be strengthened.  If on the other hand,  we read the Bible to accomplish our daily task,  to get it out of the way,  then we will find us knowing more about God rather than knowing God.   Jesus said, 

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

We miss the meaning and see the word “will” as future tense.  It is actually saying,  “if any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.”  We must come with a desire to do the things that we read.  That also means that we come with an expectation that He will make that will known to us. 

An exercise to increase our faith  -  When you read the Bible today,  begin with a prayer that you will see the words as God’s Word to you.  Ask Him to reveal His will to you and to give you the power and desire to do that will.  Come with an expectation that God cares for you and desires to reveal Himself to you.