What is the most interesting invitation that you have received? There are many I wish I had received – invitation to the White House, backstage with Carlos Santana, invitation to the U.S. Open in New York City. I don’t know how you felt when you accepted, but I know how I would have felt.
Several years ago, I went to a classic car show in Pomona, California I was walking around with my camera, having one of my best days. I heard some good bluesy rock in the distance and walked toward it. This name may mean nothing to you, but the music was from Darrell Mansfield and band. He had played in many Calvary Chapel crusades and I had seen him in a few. I waited until he was done with the set and approached him, sharing how important he had been to me. He returned my encouragement with an enormous hug! I was surprised to be invited into his personal space like that.
...which brings me to the actual point. I think the following is an astounding invitation. “Come, let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18) The God of Everything, Creator, Lord of Angel Armies – inviting me to a sit-down so that the two of us can reason together. Can I hear a “Wow”?
So where does this sit-down take place? In the pages of scripture – this is where God invites me to reason. We’re coming full circle already. We need to expose ourselves to those words.
This is where it seems to get tricky. How do I know I am interpreting correctly the words I read? Is the message just what happens to make sense to me?
I am going to make a couple of suggestions. If God is inviting us to reason together with Him, talk to God as you read the words. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) God will not fault you for asking about what you do not know, and He is generous with His wisdom.
The next suggestion may seem a bit odd. Talk back to the Bible because it is a dynamic, interactive book. The scripture is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and we can expect a response. Also, in that famous passage in John, the statement is made that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:1, 14) The Word was Jesus, God in human form, also the eternal Word of God. Asking questions of the text and reasoning with it is like asking questions of the Lord. No need to be afraid – be inquisitive, curious, adventurous! Like a child asking the eternal, never-ending, rarely completely answerable “Why?” - because as you know, we start this journey “like little children.” (Matthew 18:3)
You may feel like that is risky, maybe more than a little dangerous, and you are not ready to slalom the slippery slope to heresy. “Be not afraid” my friend! If you have responded to the invitation to be in the family of God through Jesus Christ, God through the Holy Spirit will not steer you wrong. You can seek out other brothers and sisters in the family to discuss what you’ve found in your reading. As your comfort level increases, you can invest time and energy in other helps as well. The point is, it is easy to get started because God has already invited us into The Presence to reason together.
I am absolutely blown away by that word – together. Holy God, Righteous God, God who can’t be looked at directly, invites you and me to reason with Him together. Ask away! Take advantage of this golden opportunity! Apparently, God is not afraid of what you might ask. He does, in fact, invite it.
Don’t get me wrong – I do believe in reverence and respectful awe of God. However, it’s possible you didn’t understand what I meant – we are invited. Not only that, through Christ we “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Children have become famous these days for barging into mommy or daddy’s Zoom meetings to delight and entertain their clients. Children experience no embarrassment when they enter their parents’ Zoom “throne room” and neither should we.
So, the next time you grab your Bible, or open your Bible app or software, ask God for help understanding His Word. It is like asking Him for help understanding His Son. He delights in His children asking for his wisdom and assistance. Don’t forget to interact with the Bible – it is a dynamic book that challenges, informs, corrects and guides the willing reader.
See you between the pages!