Pastor A

The Devil will make sure that certain things hinder you from studying God’s Word every day. And the attractions of the world will also vie for your attention. And if these two forces do not side-track you in some way, your own sinful nature will probably trip you. Perhaps this sounds like you do not stand a chance; that somehow you are going to be defeated. Not so! God is far greater than the Devil, the world, and your sinful nature. And He wants to help you be spiritually victorious in this area. But you must be aware of the hindrances because these will alert you to danger.

The first of three hindrances is simply: Lack of Desire! Many Christians fail at Bible study because they do not really have a desire or love for God’s Word. In too many lives, the Bible is a book that is picked up once a week, dusted off and carried to church as a sort of spiritual ornament. In contrast to this, millions of spiritually-starved souls behind the enemy lines of government oppression would give anything just to hold a copy of God’s Word in their hands.

The Old Testament relates an incident which happened about 600 years before Jesus Christ was born. For many decades, ungodly kings had reigned over the nation of Israel and dragged the people into idolatry. The Temple fell into a state of disrepair and the copies of the Word of God were lost. Finally, in 638 B.C. an eight-year-old boy named Josiah inherited the throne. He was instructed and influenced by men who served the true God; and when he was old enough to rule independently, he called for a return to true worship.

He set aside money to be used in restoring the Temple to its original condition. When the work began, one of the men found a copy of the Law and took it to the high priest. The scroll was then taken to Josiah and read before him. When he heard the words, he openly confessed his sin and then led the nation to genuine repentance.

Although Josiah was already involved in the work of destroying idolatrous shrines and restoring the Temple, he did not experience spiritual restoration in his own life until he heard the Word of God. See II Chronicles 34:14-33 for this part of the story.

You may be involved in all kinds of work for the church, but you will not experience the transforming power of God in your life until you desire, love, and obey His Word!