Hearing His Voice In Scripture

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1 (NIV)

There are four ways to read Psalm 23. I can speak the truth of it to others. I can direct the message of it toward myself. I can lift it up as a prayer to the very One it speaks of. Or I can listen as God Himself reads it to me. Each way has a profound affect on me, but the last two are the most powerful for me today. I have already done both of them and realize a whole new approach to Scripture.

Three years ago my desire was to see God’s heart in His Word. Now my desire it that I would live in His Word as I allow it to live in me. I don’t want to read it as an observer. I want to read it as a participant. I don’t want to just see the power of His words but I also want to see the practicality of them. I want to own them, embrace them, wrap myself in them, and allow them to define me, my life, and my walk with God. I want the Psalms to become my personal journal. To see God like David saw Him. To experience the reality of a vital relationship with Him. I want to put the word ‘because’ in front of this Psalm 23. Because the Lord is my Shepherd all these other things are true!

Since God requires truth in the inward parts, He is right now probing my heart. Where do His words fail to live in me? Which phrase am I not experiencing today? Which of His many words seem to mock me? What is still not moving from my head to my heart? What has still not sunk in? If the Lord is my Shepherd (and He is) then His intent is that Psalm 23 becomes the blessing He speaks over my life.

May I find moments today to close my eyes and listen as He reads His words back to me! For when I sense that He is saying them directly to me, they will become a part of me. I will own them and revel in their truth.

They are meant for me and they are meant for you, dear one. Each of us longs to hear them and He longs to say them to us. May His Words no longer just be ink on pages. May they be spoken to us in refreshing, new ways.

Father, I am moved by Your approach to me this morning. Take me from simply reading Your Word to actually inhaling it! Continue to change my desires and heart cries. I do not want to miss a thing! Amen.