All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

I’ve been thinking about that verse a bit lately. As I search the scriptures and pray, I’m ever amazed at how full the Word of God is. There’s never a time when I can honestly come to a passage with the assumption that I know everything there is to know about it; instead, just when I think I’ve got it down, God shifts my perspective a little and allows me to understand it on a deeper level.

Sometimes though, I think that Christians get stuck in the familiar passages and forget to venture any further in their Bible reading. Seemingly intimidated by the depth and fullness of the Word, we read the more popular passages or the ones that are exciting and moving and, for the most part, leave the others alone. I realized this when I found myself reading all of Psalm 119 (you know, the one that’s 176 verses long?). It was something I’d never done before in my personal Bible reading and I was amazed at how much encouragement I found throughout the entire thing. As I came to the end, I was saying to myself, “I can’t believe that’s been in here the entire time and I never took the time to read it!”

We have a tendency to read when we feel like it and what we feel like reading. When our hearts are starved for something spiritual and we have a desire to be comforted or encouraged, then we turn to the Word. We look for passages that make us feel good and are easily understood. Do you realize how shallow and lazy we Christians can be when it comes to studying God’s Word?

And yet, many Christians come to God with this expectation of a new revelation – something fresh and intriguing. We pray as if we expect God to just implant some profound thoughts into our minds of Him and His glory or of life on this earth. I’ve even heard Christians pray, “Dear God, give us something we’ve never heard before.”

But how can we expect such a thing from God when He’s already given us all that we need to know through the revelation of His Word and we are too lazy to really study it?  How can we ask for more when we have barely even dug into what He has already given us? And if God has said that His Scripture is given so that we may be complete and thoroughly equipped, why should we think that we need anything more?

You see, we don’t need a new revelation; all that we need has been revealed to us through His Word. Rather let us pray to be more diligent and to understand better what we’ve already been given.

And you are not on our own in that endeavor! You have a pastor for a reason; it is his duty to guide and encourage you as you study. You also have other Christians, who are walking this same journey. And most importantly, you have the Holy Spirit, to guide you as you diligently seek to to understand.

 Rachel Allison is a sixteen-year-old writer, photographer, home-schooler, and pastor kid. After developing a chronic illness in November 2010, she has endured many struggles and learned countless lessons. Overflowing with all God had been teaching her, Rachel began her blog, A Heart For My Shepherd, in April of 2011. Since then, she has enjoyed combining her love of writing with her ever-growing love for the Lord. Check out her blog at: aheartformyshepherd.1in1000.org

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