BROKEN AND BELOVED ENCOUNTERING THE LORD IN THE WORD
B Y A I M E E TAY L O R
We often hear people talk about ‘studying’ the Bible, and truly, there is nothing wrong with good study. We need to dig in, gather knowledge, and understand the context for what we read in the Word. I am not in dispute with some good study, but here is my dispute, my big BUT. Scripture rarely uses the word ‘study’ when it offers up how we are to handle the Word of God. Psalm 119 is the most profound passage of Scripture about Scripture, yet there is not one mention of the word ‘study’ in all its 176 verses. Instead, it uses phrases like meditate on, love, that we are to crave the Word, and be faithful to it. There are prayers to see the Word clearly, cling to it, and celebrate it. Psalm 119 also goes on to say things like Your Word revives me and instructs me; and the author prays for help to keep the Word and obey it. The New Testament ‘go to’ passages are no different. 2 Tim 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is breathed 31
