Sword Sharpening

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” (Ezra 7:10)

If anyone writes a book about my life someday (don’t ask me why they would attempt such a boring work), I hope the author would say the same about me as the Bible says about Ezra: “he prepared his heart to seek God’s Word.” Too often we don’t seek God’s Word. We read it out of guilt or commitment. But God is looking for someone who will seek out the Truth of His Book. Sure, He appreciates our scripture-a-day calendars and Bible quotes on our personal checks. Yet He still watches for those who will devote time and attention to finding the treasures He has buried in the Book. Not scripture as a program but as a process. Not activity, but activator.

Ezra was a skilled student of God’s Writings (7:6). While we don’t all have to learn Greek and Hebrew to “get it,” we need to sharpen our Bible study skills. We don’t need a bunch of stuffy commentary books either. We need to find out what the Bible says about the Bible. When we encounter a verse we don’t understand, we should seek out other passages like it. God’s Word explains itself if we use cross-reference helps and concordances to find similar topics and teachings. And don’t become an expert on just one verse. Seek out the whole counsel of God’s Word.

In addition to seeking the Truth, we must do it. Many people know what the Bible says. Very few live it. Look at the people around who live in despair, stress, anger, or gluttony. They know the principles, but they’ve yet to encounter the promises by obedience. It’s one thing to know the Bible; it’s another to be known by it.

Finally, we must teach what we know. Once we’ve discovered it, we live it, and then we begin share it with others. What has the Lord Jesus taught you through His Word lately? Are you living it? How could you improve? Who could you share your message with? What’s stopping you from doing it now?

Life isn’t dull for those who keep a sharp sword.