June 10, 2020
Read Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (NRSV)
Reflect
Why must believers enter through a “narrow” gate? Why is the road to life hard?
We all want to grow spiritually, but what should we do when it seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to engage Scripture? You may not like our answer. The truth is, there aren’t any shortcuts to spiritual growth. As Matthew 7:13-14 tells us, the way to life—to God—is hard. It requires total attention.
If you really want to enjoy a meal, you need to slow down and taste it. It works the same way with finding God in the Bible. It’s easy for us to go to the Bible for a “quick bite” every now and then without stopping to truly taste it.
How do we taste God in the Bible? We take it in and savor every bit of it. Approach the Bible the same way you would approach a good meal—go slow, take time and enjoy every part of it.
Take a Scripture passage from 2 Samuel 22, for example. You won’t get much of a picture of God if you seed through it. But read it again, and look at all the metaphors David uses in this song. God is a rock. What’s rock-like about God? God is a fortress. How is God like a fortress? God is a Savior. What are you being saved from?
By stopping to “taste” the Bible—really taking it in and savoring it—we learn to trust God in a whole new way. As we meditate (literally “to chew”) on God’s Word, we go beyond mere sight to understanding.
Pray
Lord, help me to make Bible study a priority. Help me to slow down and savor Your Word—not just settle for a quick bite here and there. Amen.
We look forward to your comments, questions, and prayers in these devotionals!
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