Read Luke 10:38-42
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.
- Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NIV)
As a child, I took lessons in martial arts. Each class began with bowing to the instructor and to the most senior member of the class, out of respect and gratitude for what they would teach us that day. Then we participated in meditation.
We were to set aside the day’s struggles, emptying ourselves so that we could focus on the commands and instructions of the teacher.
When we read God’s word, this same practice of meditation can help us set aside distractions before we begin. We can set aside thoughts of the co-worker who annoys us, the trouble-making student, the broken relationships, the fears about finances. Then we can focus on what God has to teach us.
God may indeed teach us about the co-worker or our finances, but if we bring all those specific struggles to our reading, we may miss God’s lesson. That’s why Ecclesiastes 5:1 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than offer the sacrifice of fools.” The psalmist proclaims, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” (119:105).
If we bring the distractions of our day to our Bible reading, we may wind up walking down the wrong path. When we read humbly, with uncluttered minds, ready to listen, God will light each step of our lives.
Thought for the Day:
When I read the Bible, I will ask God to still all other voices.
Prayer: Dear Lord, open up our hearts so that we can hear you. Help us to be still and quiet so that we can listen to your teaching. Amen.
Prayer Focus: BIBLE STUDY PARTICIPANTS
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools.
As a child, I took lessons in martial arts. Each class began with bowing to the instructor and to the most senior member of the class, out of respect and gratitude for what they would teach us that day. Then we participated in meditation.
We were to set aside the day’s struggles, emptying ourselves so that we could focus on the commands and instructions of the teacher.
When we read God’s word, this same practice of meditation can help us set aside distractions before we begin. We can set aside thoughts of the co-worker who annoys us, the trouble-making student, the broken relationships, the fears about finances. Then we can focus on what God has to teach us.
God may indeed teach us about the co-worker or our finances, but if we bring all those specific struggles to our reading, we may miss God’s lesson. That’s why Ecclesiastes 5:1 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than offer the sacrifice of fools.” The psalmist proclaims, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” (119:105).
If we bring the distractions of our day to our Bible reading, we may wind up walking down the wrong path. When we read humbly, with uncluttered minds, ready to listen, God will light each step of our lives.
Thought for the Day:
When I read the Bible, I will ask God to still all other voices.
Prayer: Dear Lord, open up our hearts so that we can hear you. Help us to be still and quiet so that we can listen to your teaching. Amen.
Prayer Focus: BIBLE STUDY PARTICIPANTS
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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