Divine Illumination

“Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word.”

Psalm 119:18 (TLB)

Theologians speak of three words in relationship to the Bible. One is revelation - God revealing Himself to us through His Word. Another is inspiration - the means by which God spoke to reveal His Word to those who wrote it. Both revelation and inspiration are completed actions that have given us the Bible. There are no new revelations beyond Scripture as we have it today. This is what makes the Bible so unique and infallible! It is the standard of truth and only legitimate means by which we can know God, His ways and His purpose.

The third word theologians use is illumination – the means by which God enables us to understand and apply His Word in our lives that we may know Him and live in alignment with His will. We don’t need to pray for more revelation or inspiration than what He has already given. What we need most is illumination. This is what the psalmist prayed for in Psalm 119:18 (TLB) when he writes, “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word.”

Have you ever asked God to do that in your life? I believe it will transform your love and understanding of the Bible when you do. A pastor was once asked the question, “What is more important, prayer or reading the Bible?” He responded wisely with a question. “What is more important, inhaling or exhaling?” This is spiritual breathing. When I read the Word of God, I’m inhaling spiritual truth, and when I exhale, I pray in alignment with His Word, lifting my request before Him with thanksgiving. This practice is the key to spiritual insight. So many of us today have great physical vision yet cannot see the spiritual truths of God’s Word. That’s why the Psalmist prayed, “Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word.” The New Living Translation puts it like this, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions.” This is one of the profound works of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Not only did the Holy Spirit give the inspiration of God’s Word to those who wrote the Bible, but He offers illumination to those who read it. 

We don’t have to be afraid to dive into the Word of God. It may seem daunting at first, beyond our understanding and difficult to grasp. Many will use that as an excuse to neglect God’s Word in their lives and settle for being spoon fed by someone else’s interpretation. That will never satisfy your soul. Your soul longs for the bread of heaven. You don’t have to be a scholar or pastor to discover spiritual insights from God’s Word. You just need to pray, “Lord, open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your Word today. Help me to see what I couldn’t see without You teaching me. Give me understanding and an ear to hear Your Spirit speaking to me through Your Word.” This kind of prayer releases the work of the Holy Spirit to illuminate your understanding and give you spiritual insights into God’s Word that you would not have discovered before.

In 1 John 2:27 (NLT) the Bible says, “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” As you remain in fellowship with Christ, daily connecting with Him in prayer and reading God’s Word, the Spirit of God will use the Word of God to show you the will of God.

Praying Psalm 119:18 will transform your daily bible reading in your time alone with God from merely academic to dynamic! No longer will it simply be print on a page. In fact, you will experience times when it is as if a passage leaps off the page and ignites your soul with new meaning and insight into the very circumstances you are facing! Consider that a fresh encounter with God! He is speaking to you! He is sharing spiritual truths with you that draw you closer to Him and give you wisdom and understanding! 

God didn’t give us His Word to just inform us, but to transform us! There is power in His Word! He spoke creation into being! His Word is transformational! It changes our lives! Ask Him as you read His Word today what He may want to show you. 

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To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit kerryshook.org/blog.

As you continue your quiet time, prayer is a powerful way to stay connected to God and the family of Christ. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board offers a simple space to lift others in prayer and let them know you are standing with them. You can also share your own request and receive prayer support whenever you need it.

Another way to bless others is through giving. This season, we’re celebrating how God is moving in the next generation by placing a Bible in the hands of every student connected to Kerry Shook Ministries. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit: Be Part of Growing Faith That Endures.