I have been following our Veritas Bible Reading Plan, and there have been several chapters that have popped up lately that were hard for me to process. Let’s be honest - we have all been there. I want to share a few things that I remind myself of when this happens. What do we do when we don’t like what the bible says?

Take inventory with yourself. Admit that you didn’t love that particular passage and commit to digging into it
It is good and right for you to desire to spend time in the inspired word of God - spending any amount of time reading Scripture is beneficial to your walk with God! When you come across a difficult passage, it helps to remember that investing the time into understanding the text fully is always worth the return. It is also helpful to assume that the problem is with our understanding of the scripture rather than with the scripture itself.
Pray for the Spirit to illuminate this passage for you
We get to be in relationship with an approachable, knowable God. What a miracle! If you are wrestling with something in His word, you can ask Him for help. Pray for clarity, understanding, and to walk away from your time of study with a deeper love and understanding for the heart of God.
Investigate
What is the context of this passage? Who is talking? What is happening in this part of the world during this timeframe? Who is the audience? What did the chapters before/after this passage talk about? How does this particular passage fit in with the rest of scripture? You don’t have to be a bible scholar to be able to answer these questions easily - google it! The Bible Project is a free resource that provides many of the answers to the questions above for every single book of the Bible. Check them out! If you have the answers to those questions but still think it would be beneficial to read someone else’s commentary, check out Matthew Henry’s Commentary or John Calvin’s Commentary (both are free) for another perspective to help grow in your understanding.
Remember 1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Remember that we may never get to fully understand every passage during our time on earth. This can be a hard reality to come to terms with when we are struggling through a difficult section of Scripture. Let your heart be encouraged by the truth that we will have answers to our questions when we meet our Savior face-to-face!

Every time I commit to digging in to a deeper understanding of part of the bible that I don’t like, I walk away from my time with more love and affection for the Lord than I had previously. God really does meet us where we are. I pray that this is also true for you today!

Sincerely,
Samantha Metheny
Executive Administrator
samantha@veritasfayetteville.com