I've heard it said that prayer and Bible study are two sides of a conversation. In prayer, we pour our hearts out to God, and then He speaks through His word. If we're trying to get by with just one of those, communication breaks down.
I know you've heard, and maybe even said, "I prayed, but I don't know what God's telling me to do." Or, "I never get anything out of it when I read the Bible." Those are sure signs that only half of a conversation is taking place.
How does this conversation thing work?
Looking for an example in my notebooks, I ran across a 'conversation' I had a few years ago. I had made some strides in writing and was entering a dangerous area of success. I asked God, is it wrong to want to be successful? I want to write what He gives me, and I want that to reach as many people as possible, but when does it cross over into ego? So after asking God these questions in prayer, a few days later, He started answering them as I read:
Psalm 110:1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Success depends a lot on timing. Christ has to wait for God's timing, for the fulfillment of His purposes. So it is making me more Christ-like to learn to wait for His timing. Christ waits patiently, confidently because He is that assured of God.
Psalm 110:4 The Lord has sworn and will not relent,
God's purposes WILL be accomplished. I need to submit to whatever those may be and to wait patiently and confidently for them to unfold.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
My definition of success may not be how God defines it.
God desires to have a divine conversation with us, a two-sided conversation.
What conversations have you had in your study time?
(This is a re-post.)
Lauren says
This post was so helpful. Recently in my spiritual journey and in my personal study, I've been trying to hear from God. I was so tired of guessing and trying to figure it out. This post is so helpful and it's so convenient and came at just the right time! It's given me something to look for and things to be mindful of. It's the post I really needed. Thank you!