Lent XXXVI

As we remember the Invitation to Observe a Holy Lent, we remember an invitation to enter into a season of practicing spiritual disciplines.  The last discipline listed in the Invitation is reading and meditating of the Word of God.  The fact that it is listed last certainly does not make it any less important than the ones listed ahead of it.  In fact, it may be said there is no spiritual discipline which is more important.  When we go there, we can always be assured that the reading will put us in a spiritual position where hearing what God is saying to us.  It may happen through the practice of other spiritual disciplines, but to read and meditate on the Word is like sitting in the presence of God waiting for Him to speak to us.

 

From a preaching professor at Candler School of Theology, I learned a lot about preaching, but I also learned the value of the Word in worship.  Dr. Brokoff always said to read the Word in worship so that if the preaching was a total washout, the people will at least have the opportunity to hear the Word of God for the day. It's importance can hardly be over emphasized in our spiritual journey.  The Scripture tells  us what God has been doing with and in the world.  But, there is even more.  It tells us what He is doing and plans to do.  And, perhaps, the really astounding part of it all is the way the Word of God tells us how we can be partners with God as He does what He desires to do in and with the world around us.  Through the Word we learn what God is doing and we learn what He want us to be doing.

There are other sources for figuring out how we are to live in this world.  But, none of them can compare with this Word which God has spoken through the written Word.   In II Timothy 3:16-17 we read, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work."   The bottom line is that the Bible we hold in our hands is a Word which comes directly from Him.  It is a written Word full of life because He has breathed life into it.  As those who have been brought into being by Him, it makes no sense to try to live this life without the manual He has provided for us to use.   There is never any reason for us to say that He has not spoken or is not speaking to us.  All we have to do is take this inspired Word in our hands and allow it to find its way to our hearts.