9 Minute Read

Be Still

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Today’s Bible Reading:

Ezekiel 7:1–9:11
Hebrews 5:1-14
Psalm 105:1-15
Proverbs 26:28

Listen to the Lord

Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT): “There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

Reflections from Scripture:

Imagine that you get a letter or an e-mail today. You open it up and see that it is from someone that you consider to be a friend. Yet, imagine that it has the exact wording of Hebrews 5:11-14 in it. Those words are directed … at YOU! You are told that you can’t handle the meat of the word. Instead, you are told that you are so spiritually obtuse that you need a bottle to drink your milk. Those words would sting, wouldn’t they?

The writer of Hebrews was digging deep into the truths about Jesus and showing his Jewish audience that He is what the Old Testament was pointing to. He is the one greater than all who came to fulfill the Law and provide redemption for all who would believe.

Yet, in Hebrews 5:11-14, he seems to be very frustrated. He wants to share much more … but he finds that desire futile. Why? Because the folks he’s writing to wouldn’t understand it. Why? Because they were spiritually obtuse. Why? Because they had not spent nearly enough time digging into God’s Word and obeying. They couldn’t handle more than superficial teaching from God’s Word.

(On a side now, that’s why I have dedicated my life to teaching and writing about God’s Word. I want to help those with whom I have influence, to grow in their love and knowledge of God’s Word.)

Do you want to understand more of God’s Word? Then it will take work. It will mean that you need to spend much time reading and studying your Bible. It will require you to sit under the teaching of some good Bible teachers/preachers and soak it in. It will take a commitment to quickly and whole-heartedly obey God’s Word so that you truly understand it. 

This might sound laborious and boring. But, if we do these things, we will realize that it is absolutely gratifying to understand deeper truths about God and His Word. We will have the ability to pursue holiness because we understand the Book that points us in that direction. And it will never be said of us what was said of those first-century believers…

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT): “There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to know You and Your Word. But I realize that while it takes Your grace to make strides in those areas, it also takes personal discipline. So, help me, Lord, to dig into Your Word in various ways in order to get Your Word into me. Help me grow in my knowledge of Your Word to better equip me to live the life You have given to me. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.

Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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