I used to think of this book as a chore…a thing I must check off my checklist, in order to reach salvation. My eyes were shielded by fog. I didn’t ask, and so I didn’t see clearly. When I began to place myself in situations to learn about it, I gained knowledge. I understood better the things I didn’t understand before. But still, fog covered my eyes. I needed revelation. I had knowledge, but I had not comprehension, of just how wondrous and life giving this word is.
Deuteronomy 29:2-6 “Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them: Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders. But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. Yet the Lord says ‘During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.’”
I sat with this. I looked up and asked “God why did you withhold giving them a mind to understand, eyes to see, and ears that hear?” But then I remembered Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
It seemed inconsistent…but I serve a God that never changes. He is the most consistent, a God of order, not of confusion. “I must be reading it wrong.” So I did some research.
“The hearing ear, and seeing eye, and the understanding heart, are the gift from God. All that have them, have them from him.” -Matthew Henry.
The Israelites did not have minds to understand, eyes that see or ears that hear because they did not ask. I understood now.
“The people had it not because they had not felt their want for it, nor asked for it.” -Albert Barnes
It hit me. Have I asked God, with a yearning heart, to clear the fog from my eyes? To give me deep revelation and comprehension of this book?
I began to ask in the midst of a year full of abandonment. Abandoning my comforts and all familiarity, I traveled with few items and the fog began to clear. There was one item I could not live without. It is not merely a book to me anymore, and to say it is a “chore” to read it sends me into a CACKLE. It is a lifeline. It is my bread and my water. It fills me in areas the world could never reach. It’s not something I must read to “earn my salvation” because salvation, thankfully, could never be earned. But I must read to keep my heart beating. To stay in his presence I must understand his character, through receiving my daily bread.
And at the end of the day, He will receive all of the glory.
So beautiful and profound! Very thought provoking! God is surely blessing you!
GOSH. Louder!!! This is it. I’m encouraged.
Wow! Madison! I agree with you in every way. The Word is my food and I could not live without it! When you say, “it fills me in areas the world can’t reach”, your wording explodes inside me….this is Truth. We love you so much Madison! Can’t wait to see you very soon! Praying for you always!
MA, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your heart!
deep. the dedication you’ve had is insane, glad to see you’re finding your calling through this, a good quote i like is “ Divine detours often get us exactly where God wants us to be.” and here you are. hope you’re doing well!!