Daily Bible Verses for 8/12/2016
Bible Verse
Get wisdom get understanding do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Reading Notes
Wisdom and understanding are natural byproducts of following the Lord. They come through the studying of God’s word, the Bible. And through the process of spiritual growth called “sanctification.” Sanctification is a process of spiritual growth carried out in us by the Holy Spirit. It starts with our salvation and continues until we see Jesus face to face. As the Bible tells us in the letter of James, chapter one, verse five, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” This is possible because each and every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who guides us, strengthens us and helps us to grow in understanding and wisdom as we study God’s word. How fast and how much wisdom we gain depends on two things. The amount of time we spend studying God’s word and our submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our day to day lives.
And as we grow in Christ and we deepen our study of God’s word, we gain not only wisdom and understanding; but also humility and a deep down love for the Lord, for the things of God and for the lost. This is because the Holy Spirit who indwells all followers of Jesus, transforms our hearts and minds. In addition, as we study the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps to illuminate scripture for us and deepen our understanding. The term “illuminate” means the Holy Spirit helps us to better understand what the Bible is saying based on our knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. We now understand that Jesus is the core focus of God’s plan of redemption. Moreover, we clearly see that all of scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament testifies of Christ. And it’s these changes in our hearts and minds, which make us more sensitive to God’s instruction as well as His influence in our lives. And as we mature in Christ, we develop a stronger love for Him, His word and for those who are lost and perishing in this dark world.