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As I studied the lives and writings of individuals I looked up to, specifically men and women that made landmark impacts on my life.  A common thread emerged: they all strong devotional lives.   

 

I vibrantly recall a memoir of one such, describing his times of stillness in a forest, Bible in hand, simultaneously prayerfully speaking to the Lord.  They spoke of dialogue conversations they were experiencing in their prayer closets.  The pessimist that I was, there was no argument that my prayers were purely monolog.  Therefore, this became my devotional objective, a prayer and motive to experience His Prescence. 

 

I can vividly recall one of my first such experience. During my morning devotion, I came across this text,

 

 Jesus himself drew near (Luke 24:15-32).

 

It caught me of guard.  At the time, I would have boldly assured you that I have made my sole purpose of spending time in the word, an aim to draw near to Him.  However here, to my astonishment, the word said that it was He who drew near to them.  

 

 I paused.  With further study of the verse, I was able to identify a cause and effect relationship I haven’t recognized before. Specifically, with the utilization of the word while.

 

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  (Luke 24:15-16)

 

Cause:  while they communed together and reasoned  

Effect:   Jesus himself drew near and went with them

 

Although now, through recurrent exposure, I have surely come to recognize this impulse/instinct as the prompting of his Spirit, however at the time, just as it had occurred with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, my “eyes were holden” and I did not recognize him.  

 

 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? (Luke 24:17 KJV)

 

Notice here Jesus acknowledges that the men were sad.  Isn’t such the case, all too often we approach the word of God, with lost hopes and broken spirits.  

 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:… (Luke 24:21 KJV)

 

Notice the disciples’ lack of insight and understanding of the scriptures.  

 

 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (Luke 24:25 KJV)

 

Jesus encourages the men, don’t doubt, have faith.  

 

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 KJV)

 

I looked up the definition of the word expounded and have come up with the terms: to present and explain in detail.  

 

 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

 

Jesus physically demonstrates what had happened along the road.  He broke bread, his body, the word, and had given them to eat. In other words, explained the scriptures in a way that they haven't known before. 

 

Notice, it wasn’t until they have eaten, that their eyes were open and they recognized that it was him that taught them. Likely, the end result of quiet time spent in his word changes our understanding and insight.  He is the instructor; we are the students.  

 

 

A.W. Tozer writes "Probably there is no greater offense in all of Christendom then speed reading the Bible. The Bible must be read slowly and meditatively allowing the Holy Spirit to open up our understanding (p. 20). " 

 

"Those who read fast reap no more advantage than a bee would be by only skimming over the surface of the flower, instead of waiting to penetrate into it and extract its sweets." (Guyon,J  p.19)  

I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known

....                           Charles Austin Miles

 

 

 

Supporting texts

…. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

 

But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones (Jeremiah 20:9 KJV)

 

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart (Jeremiah 15:16 KJV)

 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20 KJV)

 

 

 

Tozer, A. W. (2017). Essential Tozer Collection: The Pursuit of God, The Purpose of Man, and The Crucified Life (In 1 ed.). Bethany House Publishers. 

 

Guyon, J. (2019). A Short and Easy Method of Prayer. Unorthodox Press.