Rooted in God’s Word

“Ezra devoted himself to the
study of the Law of the Lord…”
Ezra 7:10 (NIV)

Last weekend I was privileged to lead a “Rooted in God’s Word” workshop at Briarwood Presbyterian’s annual Women’s Retreat. During our session we tried to answer two important questions:

Why do we need to be rooted in God’s word? 
and
How can we be rooted in God’s Word?

To help answer the first question,  I shared that the same spiritual principles that helped my family remain steadfast in seasons of waiting also proved true during 2022 as we faced a season of suffering with James Bruce’s sudden death; two bouts of Covid; a six-month chronic cough, and a Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis. In both seasons of waiting and suffering, we needed to face our fears; feed our souls; fix our gaze; and hold onto hope. That was only possible because God was holding onto us with His Word and Spirit.

What I am learning in the midst of these trials is that God uses suffering to produce steadfastness. The Apostle Peter writes, “And the God of all grace, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV) God uses suffering to produce spiritual muscles and maturity.

We can’t stand firm or be steadfast if we aren’t rooted in God’s Word.  It is both an anchor and a lifeline, but we have to know what it says and be ready to use it when we need it. To gain a handle on God’s Word, we must hear it; read it; study it; memorize it; and meditate on it.

Being rooted in God’s Word begins with a basic understanding of the Bible. The Bible is one “library” with 66 books.

  • 39 books are in the Old Testament and can best be summarized with the word “Promise.”

  • 27 books are in New Testament and are best summarized with the word “Fulfilled”

  • It was originally written in 3 languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) on three continents (Asia, Europe, Africa) over 1500 years by approximately 40 human authors, yet one Divine Author (2 Peter 1:21).

  • The Bible tells one big story (metanarrative) of God’s pursuing love for us. 

  • It also answers one big question: How can sinful man live with a holy God? That answer is found in the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Jen Wilkin in her excellent book Women of the Word writes, “If we are called to love God with all of our mind and all of Scripture is profitable, then study all of it.” Children’s author Sally Lloyd Jones challenges us to look for Jesus in every book of the Bible. She writes, “Every story whispers his name.”

Jesus is the:

  • Seed in Genesis

  • Deliverer in Exodus

  • Manna in Numbers

  • Mercy seat in Leviticus

  • Living water in Deuteronomy

  • Commander in Joshua

  • Rock and Fortress in Psalms

  • Good Shepherd in Ezekiel

  • Faithful husband in Hosea

  • Warrior in every battle

  • Celebration in every feast

  • Atonement behind every sacrifice

  • Priest behind every priest

  • Prophet behind every prophet

  • King behind every king

We closed our workshop with some “Best Practices” for developing Bible literacy. Here are a few of my favorites:

  • In the mornings reach for your Bible before you reach for your phone.

  • Use a printed text of God’s Word instead of a screen.

  • Remember the Bible is a book about God. God is the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14) who throughout Scripture says, “I will” and with his covenant says “I’m in.”

  • Take a long-term view of Bible study. Your quiet time is a savings account, not a debit account. Make regular deposits that accumulate over time. (Jen Wilken)

  • Pray! We become what we behold. John Piper uses an “IOUS” (acronym) prayer before he begins his study of God’s Word. Truth about God is never discovered; it is only revealed.

    Incline my heart to your word. (Ps119:36)
    Open the eyes of my heart. (Ps 119:18)
    Give me an undivided heart. (Ps 86:11)
    Satisfy me with your word. (Ps.90:14)

  • Avoid wasted gains and receive God’s Word to retain and reproduce.

  • Remember that the Bible is designed for our transformation and not just information. Author Paige Brown says, “We are not secured by the Word unless we are ruled by it.”

Ultimately our goal for being rooted in God’s Word should be the same as God’s. He wants us to know it; obey it; and teach it both for our good and for His glory.

Rooted in God’s Word: know-do-teach!

Bible LiteracyDonna Evanschristian living, suffering, God’s Word