Understand

"Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders." (Psalm 119:27)

It is one thing to read God's Word but it is another thing to understand it. Much of Scripture is plain to the ordinary person. The plan of salvation is so plain that even a young child can understand it but there are other parts that are more difficult to understand. It is those that we need help in our understanding. Peter said, "His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16)

Notice that Peter acknowledges that some Scripture is hard to understand and that we must be careful how we interpret those Scriptures. He says that if we do it in ignorance then we can distort it and bring about our own destruction.

How do we get understanding? First, the Scriptures must be read to be understood. They must be read in context and Scripture must be compared to Scripture. Reading a single verse and then building a doctrine on that verse can lead to destruction.

Second, we need good Bible teachers. We should find ourselves in a church that preaches the Word of God clearly and accurately. The best teaching comes from a pastor that preaches consistently from the Word, often working through books or portions of Scripture. If we do not have such a teacher we should be in a Bible study where people are willing to study the Scripture and accept It's teaching. They should not come with their own preconceived ideas and try to force them on others.

Finally, we need the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He has promised to be our teacher and guide. We should come to the Scriptures prayerfully, waiting to see what God wants to reveal to us through His Word.

As we understand the Scriptures then we can meditate upon them and we will see the wonders of God revealed to us.