Surface Reading

This year I am trying not to be a surface reading when I'm in God's word. So often people read God's word and they will say this is what it says. They start reading and if the scripture starts with "Therefore, But, Just As" you get the idea I hope. They don't go back to see what was being said before. They read and think they understand. What I am learning is you need to look at the last verse and also to the original language.



Here is what I learned in my devotions today that hit a button in me. It is so simple yet I over look it so often.

Genesis 17:1

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless.



I looked "God Almighty" up. It means "I am the all-sufficient one". Basically he is telling Abram, I'm all you need. Now we often say that but do we mean it? Do we except it?

If we are honest with ourselves we don't truly except God as the all-sufficient one. We look for love and acceptance in others. How many of us worry about be accepted right inside our church doors? I mean with a small group to really get to know them and they get to know you. I do and it is hard to step out of that need.

What about with our co-workers or our children's friend's parents? You focus on doing or saying the "right" thing because you want to be liked and accepted.

What about in your family. You work hard all day getting the house in order, 3 loads of wash and make a nice meal (for once) and someone see you didn't get the last load of wash out of the dryer yet. They don't comment on all you did just what you didn't do. How does that make you feel.

You see if we truly accept God as all-sufficient we wouldn't care what other think or feel. All that matter is God will meet those needs, people really can't anyways.