Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word
January 30, 2021
I have a simple goal each year to read more books in the coming year than I did in the last. Some years, I cross that finish line! Other years, I celebrate the shorter book count for the year to come. The 2021 book count has commenced with 13 books at the finish line, and a hopeful victory lap in there somewhere. I can imagine for some of you this would be sandbagging, but for me it will be a hustle. So far, I’m off to a good start with Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word by the managing editor of the Gospel Coalition, Matt Smethurst.
Have you ever had to jump in a swimming pool fully dressed? Well, I have had this experience a few times for a variety of reasons---children. One thing is for certain: swimming is better in a swimsuit for recreation than fully dressed for an emergency. Recently, I have discovered that I have been opening my Bible in a similar way. Often, I dive into God’s Word a little like that swimming pool—unprepared and overdressed, rushed and obligated with a few idols tucked in my pocket. Before reading this book, I had not considered the importance of preparing myself to read the Bible. I have thought a great deal about what to read in the Bible, how to understand the text, and what to do in response, but not how to approach God’s Word. The author seemed to be speaking to me when he said, “ I am convinced that a prayerless approach to God’s Word is a major reason for the low-level dissatisfaction that hums beneath the surface of our lives. We rob ourselves of joy and peace when we fail to pray. Indeed, approaching Scripture apart from prayer is one of the most counterproductive things we do. For prayerless Christianity is powerless Christianity.” I was convicted of my prayerless approach to my bible. I was, also, encouraged as he carefully addressed my attitude and the importance of reading the bible in community.
As our Elders look to God’s Word to grow us in truth, hope, and steadfastness, this was the perfect inaugural book for the year and has provided big benefits. In less than a hundred pages, my bible reading has been infused with joy and richness, and I have had far less of the cold swim sensation. Needless to say, it was five dollars well spent!
Written by Sawyer Taylor