Seek and Read!

Reading:  Isaiah 33, 34

My Verse:  "Seek and read from the book of the LORD

                        Not one of these shall be missing;

                        none shall be without her mate.

                   For the mouth of the LORD has commanded,

                        and his Spirit has gathered them" (Isaiah 34:16).

What an amazing verse!  We are to "seek and read from the book of the LORD!"  I love this - the clarity of it!  There is this man from India that comes to our church often - he travels out to the villages and back to India, quite an amazing preacher and teacher.  When he speaks to our congregation he almost always starts off with, "Read your Bible!  Read your Bible!  Read your Bible!"   

I remember hearing people say how the more they read the Bible the more they wanted to read it.  I found this puzzling as I struggled to be consistent with my reading.  There were times when it was actually difficult for me to sit and focus on my Bible reading.   Finally, finally, I am beginning to understand this need, this growing desire for more and more of the Word of You LORD God!  Thank you.  Thank you for this verse.

We are to seek Your Word.  It really is an amazing book - the Bible.  How it came to be, how it has survived through the ages.  This can only have been of You, LORD God.  This also speaks to the importance You place on it - as You have preserved it for us, Your followers.  It is our guide to You.  Thank You.

Then we are to read it.  As I read it I love the anticipation of what it is You have for me in the pages and words.  I read until something speaks to my spirit.  Sometimes it is vague and I have to reread, but when and if I pursue that thought that spoke to me it will become more clarified.  Sometimes I need to spend some time just thinking on it before I really get it.  Sometimes it is just a wonder, a question for me to think on.  I am at a bit of a loss for words to fully describe the complete process - but it is definitely a drawing in - drawing me closer to You, LORD God.  Thank you for that!

"None shall of these shall be missing" - I like how the Amplified states this.  "Not one of these [details of prophesy] shall fail."  So many doubt this - but I think that speaks to their lack of knowledge of Your Word, LORD God.  As I read it, comparing scripture to scripture,  and reading other scholarly works on the validity and reliability of the Bible  - I am constantly amazed as it truly is a miraculous  book!

"The entirety of Your word is truth, 

   And every one of  Your righteous judgments endures forever" (Psalm 119:160).

"Sanctify them by Your truth.

   Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

   and is profitable for doctrine,

   for reproof,

   for correction,

   for instruction in righteousness,

   that the man of God may be complete,

   thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy3:16).

We must, we need to "seek and read" Your Word, LORD God!  For only then can we even begin to draw near to You, to have even an inkling of what we are about!

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

   teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

   singing with grace in your hearts to the LORD.

And whatever you do in word or deed,

   do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, 

   giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:16).

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!