“Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what
is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All
these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the
Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in
spirit and trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 66:1-2 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/isa.66.1-2.esv
“He was still speaking when behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a
voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces
and were terrified.”
Matthew 17:5-6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/mat.17.5-6.esv
Can you imagine going up a Mountain with Jesus and witnessing what happened
in Matthew 17? Imagine hearing a voice through a cloud telling you that Jesus is
His Son and you better listen to him. I think I would be falling on my face and
trembling like Peter and the others did.
God says His Word requires trembling because His Word is more important than
anything else. Yet, I know some Christians that have never opened the Bible.
They rely on others to “interpret” His Word. Frankly, relying solely on others can
be dangerous and make you vulnerable to false teachings. I have learned God
helps me understand His Word through the Holy Spirit. I know what’s true
through Him by reading the Bible. I don't need to “interpret” because I rely on
God to do that.
I know my love, faithfulness and eternity depend on me reading His Word
through the Bible directly. I don't want to be misled. The Bible has survived 1900
plus years (longer for the Old Testament) so I know it stands the test of time.
Truth never dies. Falsehoods die in time. It's amazing when one cracks open the
Bible shuts the door in their room and prays to God to reveal His truth. You can
sense the bond between teacher and learner. It's a bond where you become so
fulfilled and peaceful. Sometimes when I am done reading for the day, I can feel
a warm hug. The hug alone makes the time so worthwhile.
I urge every believer to take time aside to just crack open the Bible and ask God
to reveal His truth. Don't rely on anyone else’s “interpretation”. Yes, garnering
new aspects through Church is helpful but it should not be the only way you
learn the Word of God. That way, you will learn the truth and supplement it with
other believers.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
