Today’s Verse—Psalm 119:73
You made me and formed me with your own hands. Give me
understanding so that I can learn your commands.
First Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.” What does this verse mean? Does it mean you can’t sleep, talk to your friends, or think about anything else? Do you have to keep praying? What if you have to study for a history test?
There are all sorts of different ways to give meaning to the Bible. These different meanings are called interpretations.
In the Odyssey episode “The Poor Rich Guy” (album 46), Marvin and Tamika were worried about Mr. Whittaker because he had a good amount of money, and Matthew 19:24 says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (NIV). Marvin and Tamika interpreted that verse to mean that Whit wasn’t going to heaven.
But Whit showed them the verses surrounding verse 24. In those verses, Jesus talked about how hard it is for a rich person to get to heaven (verse 23), but that “with God all things are possible” (verse 26, NIV). Rich people who love money more than God will have a difficult time entering heaven, but with God as their true Master, they can. Marvin and Tamika interpreted the Bible incorrectly. It’s an easy trap to fall into.
Here are some tips to help you avoid getting caught in a misinterpretation. First, remember the context of the passage—when it was written, for whom it was written, and what the writer was talking about before and after the verse.
Second, your interpretation of the verse shouldn’t contradict other things in the Bible. For instance, Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and mother.” So you should be alert when you read Luke 14:26—“Anyone who comes to me must hate his father and mother.” How can both verses be right? There must be a way to find the true meanings of both verses.
Wandering with Wooton
I was flipping through the Bible and read this verse in Genesis: “Two of every kind of bird will come to you. Two of every kind of animal will come to you.” I got scared to go outside because I thought I was gonna get overrun by a zoo! But then I kept reading and realized that God was talking to Noah. Whew! Getting the right meaning is really important!
Third, ask someone who has studied the Bible—a pastor, your parents, a Sunday school teacher—to help you find a good Bible commentary on the Internet or at the library.
Fourth, pray for understanding. God wants you to know Him better. He will give you an answer to your questions, though sometimes you may have to wait.
Daily Challenge
In your Bible reading this week, mark down the verses you don’t understand. Ask someone you trust what they mean. Write down the meanings in the margin next to the verse. Maybe you could start with 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Never stop praying.”
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Bible Theme Memory Verse—Psalm 119:89
Lord, your word lasts forever. It stands firm in the heavens.