Bible Reading Glasses
It’s amazing to me how we read the Bible while wearing different glasses. I personally have a dresser drawer full of Bible reading glasses. My mood or interest at the time determines the “frame of reference” I choose to put on my face. When I’m discouraged, I reach for my “comfort” glasses. I slip on “His promises” when I need to remind myself of who I am in Christ. What is your favorite lens when reading God’s Word?
We may not realize it, but every time we sit down to read the Bible, we put on one of the many lenses in our hodgepodge. Why? Because most of the time we already know what we’re looking for in Scripture. We want to learn more about the miracles of Jesus or we want to know more about marriage, finances, trials, end-times, God’s love, heaven or hell, Satan’s lies, how to be an overcomer, our next Sunday School lesson or sermon topic, etc. The list is endless. However, there are two pair of glasses in particular that we all have in our assortment. Let’s focus on these a moment.
One is a pair that should be on the bottom and way in the back of our dresser drawer. But we dig it out occasionally, and it’s the pair holding the “self-justification” lenses. We like to wear this pair of glasses when we’ve already drawn our own conclusion about something and we think we have it all figured out. We simply need to find those Scriptures that will validate our words and actions. Context matters little. We must convince ourselves and others of “our truth.” Let’s be honest. We’ve all worn these Bible reading glasses at some point in our lives. They are definitely not the most flattering compliment in the book! Perhaps a better label for these spectacles would be “unteachable.” This pair should remain securely attached to the back of the drawer.
We all possess another pair of Bible reading glasses in our collection that should be front and center, easily accessible, and worn often. This is the pair with the “teach me what I need to know today” lenses and are oh so fashionable! We position these bifocals on our nose when we recognize our need for God up close as well as down the road. Humbly we come before Him and ask Him to look deep inside and expose anything in our heart that is not pleasing to Him, so we can repent, confess, and lay that sin at His feet. Then we ask Him: What’s next? What do you want me to do now, and where do you want me to go from here? We read His Word with these bifocals in place until we hear and see Him clearly.
Keep in mind that God is bigger than any pair of Bible reading glasses. His Holy Spirit knows how to pierce our heart regardless of the lens we wear. He surprises us and shows us truths about Him and life that weren’t even on our radar. I love it when He does that! “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Which pair of Bible reading glasses will you wear today? “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18). “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar” (Isaiah 33:17).