“The word became text and dwelt among us.” That is not the way it reads. He became flesh. And yet so much of the time, I catch myself wanting to get to know the “written word” more than the “living word”. I want to study a book instead of getting to know the author. I am not discouraging people from reading the written word; just the opposite in fact. The more I have grown over the years, God has shown me that He wants me to get to know Him, not just know about Him. I start with the written Word to get to know the Word.
In the past I have approached God as the One who had something to teach me. Which is not wrong. But Jesus was more than a teacher. God wants more than for me to ‘learn’ something. He wants me to know Him. He is not just a teacher or principle.

Interesting. When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment, He always states the same thing. He knew exactly what the Father wanted. It was always “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” In Mark 12 He adds strength. And in Luke 10, the lawyer who asked Him the question positioned strength in the middle. But in all of the passages Jesus starts with heart. Mind is third. So why do we start, and many times get stuck, with mind. Because it is easier to know something and turn it into a principle, than it is to know someone who wants to change us and guide us.

So, given all this, the first thing we should look for as we read the Bible devotionally is; “How does this help me to draw near to God?” The second like it is, “How does He want to draw near to me?” James tells us that God wants us to “draw near to Him”. The first one – How do we draw near to Him? That answer is: do not treat Him is a principal or a text, treat Him as a person. God the Father is the first person of the Trinity. And He wants us to draw near to Him. The second is like it: “He will draw near to you.” How has God drawn near to you? Have you ever sensed Him deeply at work in your heart and your life? And you wondered what that feeling was? And you asked yourself, “I wonder if someone is praying for me now to have peace?” I asked for prayer for peace in this situation, but I sense more than peace. That is Him, not just His attribute. In Philippians 4 we see “the peace of God” as we request it and turn our anxiety over to Him. But then as we dwell on things as He would, the “God of peace” shows up. Not just a principle or the attribute of peace, but God Himself.

Doug Dees
Executive Pastor
First Baptist Church of Moore, Oklahoma