January 26
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law.” Psalm 119:18
The sixth reason people give for not spending time in the Word, “The Bible isn’t interesting,” I personally believe is more of a reflection of the person saying it than the Bible. I truly can understand this, because there have been times when I was excited about this thing or that thing or doing this or doing that, and studying the Bible seemed dull and pointless in comparison to the great things I was pursuing. And even ministry and helping others can be some of those things that are more interesting to us than spending time studying or meditating on God’s Word. They are easier, that is for sure!
But the older I get the more I realize that I don’t really have anyone on this earth, other than Christ, who truly cares for my soul so much that He would die for me and give me eternal life. I cannot now even remember what was so interesting and important that it kept me from the Word so many years ago. No, I think this excuse reflects a matter of loving the world more than we love the Lord, and a matter of focusing more on doing things than having a relationship. If we knew what the true source of our enjoyment, excitement, usefulness, and purpose was, or I should say Who the Source is, then I don’t think we would conclude that the scriptures are boring.
In reality, these excuses reflect, I believe, deception of various kinds and are used to excuse and cover up sins of laziness, unbelief, ignorance, etc. I have been stunned to see as I get older how deceptive and determined my old nature really is, how I have been and still am shaped by its lusts and desires at times far more than I am by God’s desires. This has been a scary realization for me, and this we will explore in a little more detail in the next few days.