getting help to read and understand god’s word

Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!
(Deuteronomy 5:29)

I’m eager to resume our study of Deuteronomy this weekend. We took a 3-week break prior to diving into the 3rd part of the book (Deut 12-26) to clarify how the Lord sets his people apart from the world today. As we dive back in, it’s worth remembering one of the main points from Deut 1-11: loving the Lord means “keeping all his statutes and his commandments,” being “careful to do them” (Deut 6:2-3). We love God by obeying his Word.

That’s really hard, isn’t it? Trouble within and without can make following Jesus in every area of life feel utterly impossible. I have good news for you, friend. If you are presently struggling to do something God has told you to do, the answer is not to try harder, “just do it,” or slap on some good fruit by sheer willpower. The answer is to grow in the fear of the Lord. Only when we are gripped by a vision of the glory of God, when our hearts are filled with trembling joy at his majesty and mercy, will we be careful to obey his Word.

If you want to grow in the fear of the Lord, there is one thing you must do. Take up the Word of the Lord and read. Or hit play and listen. Meditate on God’s Word until your soul is gripped by a vision of his glory. I don’t say that because reading Scripture is a magic formula. I say that because it’s our God-given window into the radiance of his glory. Many people read Scripture looking for a list of things to do or not do. God wants us to read his Word, first and foremost, because we long to see and know him.

And remember this. When you read God’s Word and your heart is not filled with trembling joy at his majesty and mercy, it’s not because there is a fault with the text. It’s because we need the Holy Spirit to give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to understand. Otherwise, the Word will remain mere letters on a page. We must fervently pray with the psalmist: Lord, give me an open ear. “Open my eyes, open my heart and open my mind to perceive wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18).

One of the ways the Spirit delights to open our eyes is through the gift of Christian books, books that help us to understand and apply the most important book! If you’re struggling to make sense of God’s Word or see anything glorious in it, check out the following list of recommended devotional resources. Each one is designed to guide you in regular reading, understanding, and reflecting on God’s Word. There may come a time, too, when you’ll sense a friend could use a resource recommendation on how to get started reading God’s Word themselves. I hope this list can guide you in guiding them.