Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.

Different translations render the image in the first part of this verse differently, with “unfolding” common in English translations, but the Japanese says “when the door opens.” I like that, because the Bible is in many ways like the magical wardrobe in the Narnia books, leading deeper and deeper into things not previously imagined. In the second half of the verse, where English translations say “simple,” this Japanese translation says “shallow,” and the word for “understanding” is satori, made famous by Buddhism as “enlightenment.” Many, if not most, people are actually quite shallow in their understanding of the great themes of life, not because they don’t have the capacity to understand, but because they never think of them. Reading the Bible forces us to think about those things, which may well be why some people avoid the Bible! Actually, the devil likes things that way, because shallow people are easy for him to snare. When we get into the Bible, and let it get into us, we are far better equipped and enabled to follow God and resist the devil, just as James famously said. (James 4:7) Parts of the Bible are fairly easy to understand, particularly those relating to Jesus being the Savior, like John 3:16, but the depth of it is essentially infinite. That’s why it’s like the wardrobe leading into Narnia! There is always more to learn, more to gain, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into His Book.

I first read all the way through the Bible by the time I was 10, but I keep getting new insights. The highest compliment ever paid to me is that I’m addicted to the Bible! I can’t think of a more beneficial addiction! It is not unusual for me to be having a conversation in which I say something very matter-of-factly, and the person I’m talking to suddenly looks like I hit them over the head, or in the stomach. They say, “That’s deep!” but to me it’s simply obvious. I can’t take pride in that, because it’s only by God’s grace, and indeed, it makes me a poor evangelist because I’m not very skilled at laying the foundation for the deeper things. As my blog demonstrates, I open the Bible physically every morning, and God’s Spirit opens it to me spiritually, and opens my heart to it. I think that last part is key, because without a love for God and His Word, that Word can have a hard time penetrating. As I have commented many times, I feel like James 1:22 was written for me: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” I will not gain enlightenment, to go back to the verse in Psalm 119, without a heart that is committed to doing what the Lord says to me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me keep growing in taking in Your Word and making it part of me, so that I may share that Word with others in ways they can receive it, to allow it to transform us all, for Your glory. (Isaiah 55:10-11) Thank You. Hallelujah!