-June 10, 2023-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. In that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out if these things were so.”
(Acts 17:11).
Christianity in the NT was new, exciting, dynamic, living, and growing, despite severe opposition and persecution. They loved the Lord Jesus, met together for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This is still the way we gather today. Each individual believer has a personal walk with the Lord daily. Searching the Word of God is of vital importance. It goes beyond just reading it.
There was a great work in the city of Berea. They had a hunger for the Word and they received the Word with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily. This meant they studied the Word diligently and faithfully just as a miner pans for gold, a treasure hunter goes after treasure, and as a student thirsts for knowledge and understanding. Nowadays many read the Word but few search for the nuggets and treasures that are found beneath the surface.
Bible study takes time, effort, and concentration. Martin Luther once said, “I study my Bible like I gather apples. First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall. Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig. Then I look under every leaf. I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree. Then I shake every limb—study book after book. Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters. Then I shake every twig, or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings.”
For the student of the Bible, searching for its treasures is not a drudgery but a delight. This is why those who prepare a Bible study or a sermon get more out it than those who hear it. Searching the Scriptures involves reading, studying, meditation, and memorization. And for it to work and take hold, we must obey it and apply it to our lives. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible is all about the Word of God and its affect on our lives. Psalm 119:72 says, “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”
Is the Bible your treasure? Do you treasure it in your heart? Is it your priority and daily food? The Psalmist wrote, “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 13:52, “…Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth out of his treasure things old and new.”
Let us search the Scriptures daily with all readiness and diligence, devotion and delight. It is the best work we will do all day. We must prepare the time, the place, the tools, and give the effort. The Lord will richly and abundantly bless us. Have a blessed day in the Word and the Word will bear great fruit in our lives. Stay safe and healthy.
Searching for God’s treasure without measure,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 