It is helpful to read scripture for so many reasons. I find it a direct communication with God so often as I look for His encouragement and direction from the words I am reading. It is like the words become active and lively when I am meant to know they are for me, and the promises and guidance become an integrated part of my movement and actions going forward.
I am aware we have those who know scripture and have been through the Bible numerous times, while others may have never opened a page of the Bible to seek inspiration and knowledge.
If you have never opened scripture, perhaps starting in the Gospels, the New Testament is the best starting place. I say that as the Old Testament may at first be confusing, though I do each week attempt to give the insights to why God would do as He did, why utter destruction was commanded.
One of the things I look for is repetition. I underline the repetitive verse, word, or theme and seek to understand why it dominates the passages I am studying. Another thing I watch for is supernatural intervention. And as I have had the joy of reading and studying Enoch, which the Old Testament scholars all had read and understood, I look for the deeper meaning, for example, of the movement of the stars, or a reference to ancient waters, or the elements and storehouses.
I typically will read and underline, then go back through and possibly find a couple things that are really key to the entirety of the passages and highlight them. I note in a notebook scripture I felt was important, and I look for patterns and lists that I can write out, find in the verses, and observe their meaning as a whole in a different (list) format. In the piece we look at today, there was the role of women, the role of men, the supernatural roles, and the overall theme of faithfulness of God to keep His promises.
Studying scripture is a doorway to tuning into God’s voice by committing to spending time in His word. When He speaks to you, it may be infrequent or daily. Keep at it. Be curious. What did the word mean in scripture versus the common use of our language today? Are they different? You can ask that in your browser if you are unfamiliar with doing this kind of study.
