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The entire Christian faith rests upon the Word of God. It rests upon its authority, credibility, and power. If there were no Word of God, there would be no Christians. It is our guide to the Christian life. The Bible tells us who we are and who God is. It tells us the way to eternal life and Who it is through (John 14:6). If the Bible tells us all this, I ask, “who would not want to read about everything we ever need to know?” And, yet it is not the easiest thing to do. If it were, there would not be books written about spiritual dryness or when reading the Word becomes stale. One way that we can avoid dryness and staleness in our time in the Word is to be a ‘student’ of it.

What does being a ‘student’ mean?

Before we can look at the application of the Word as a student, we must first look at what it means to be a student of the Word. Far from a mere lecture at school and sitting in sheer boredom (not every class, of course, is like this), a student is one who takes in with eager intent of what is being taught. Why would a student do so? Because the one who is speaking does so with authority. Consider the command of the Father upon Peter, James, and John in Luke 9:45. “Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” In short, the Father is telling these disciples (and the others as they would have been told later on) to listen to the Son of God. Generally, this is what a student does. He listens to one in authority.

In a more specific way, a student is one who carries out what is being taught. Going back to the school analogy for a minute. If you have learned about George Washington who taught it to you? A teacher, a parent, a scholar? Now, if you were to go to Valley Forge and see Washington’s Encampment who might that remind you of? See, students do not learn to gain a bunch of head knowledge, but to use it in the world. A student is a learner and a doer.

Three Blessings of Being a Student of the Word

Unlike the academic world where much of the information gained on this world will fade (unless the Bible is in the school curriculum). Also, unlike the academic world, there are spiritual blessings of being a student of the Word. I would like to offer 3. They are security, fulfillment, and hope.

Security

Being a student of the Word of God offers security unlike any other. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” That last word ‘forever’ is critical to the security that the Bible affords. Studying an eternal book that is relevant for every age carries weight. Amazingly, the Bible speaks repeatedly of its eternality. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” And Moses in Psalm 90:1-3 writes of God saying, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place from generation to generation. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” These are words of comfort and assurance in a world that offers none. What does this have to do with being a student of the Word? Well, if you don’t read Scripture with eagerness and joy, rather out of being a task or checklist item you miss the depths of these great promises. Have you ever struggled with being forgiven after a repeated sin? Hebrews 10:28 is comforting. How about feeling as though you are not heard? Micah 7:7 speaks to that. Being a student of the Word takes reading the text to greater depths.

Fulfillment

As a man, I long for accomplishment and fulfillment in this life. I want to feel as though I have done something this day, and in every other. It might not feel like it at first, but being a student of the Word, over time, is the most fulfilling deed of my day. Now, this is not in preparation for a sermon. But for the good of my own soul. Do you read and study the Word of God for the good of your own soul? If not, I plead with you to stop and pray that the Lord will help you do this. I can assure you that any growth in the Lord will be hindered if you forsake the reading and study of the Word of God. On the other hand, it is not for an objective of growing to a certain level that we read, but to be fulfilled, to be satisfied. David writes in Psalm 19:7-10, “The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, even more than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” The law of Yahweh was satisfying to David. He longed to hear it and obey it. Do you see the Bible as satisfying? Is it enough for you? I promise you this, if you read and study the Word of God, nothing else will satisfy!

Hope

Third, but not least, being a student of the Word of God brings forth great hope. Let’s be real for a moment. The world does not provide a lot of hope. Why is it that the world is still trying to fix man’s problems? Because it hasn’t gotten there, and, indeed, it cannot. Jesus has already provided this hope. He says to the crowds in John 8:12, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” How hopeful and hope-filled this statement is! Studying this text, even for a few moments, is a blessing. How so? Consider the darkness of our world. Would you agree that the world is dark and sinful? Jesus says that He shines brightly far above the world. How about those times that you are stuck in sin or weary due to the burdens you carry? Jesus says to come to Him and in Him you will have rest (Matthew 11:29-30). As you study these things, and apply them to your personal circumstance, you will see very quickly that hope in large amounts is offered to you in Christ.

Conclusion

These three blessings from being a student of the Word of God are not exclusive. Upon the study of the Word you will find that much more lies in wait to be discovered and meditated upon. However, you may be asking what I need to be a student of the Word. Three things, your Bible, something to write with, and something to write on. I encourage you to write apart from using a computer. Why? Because computers can be distracting with all the notifications and reminders that pop up. Remember, there is no substitute for being a student of the Word of God, and the blessings and benefits to your own soul are priceless!

*All Scripture texts quoted from the Legacy Standard Bible, (LSB)