Meeting God in His WordSýnishorn

Yesterday, we explored moving from information to revelation; today, we discover how the Holy Spirit makes this transformation possible through interpretation, meditation, and memorization.

"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you" (John 14:26, NLT). The Holy Spirit not only inspires the writing of Scripture, but He also remains actively involved in helping us understand its meaning and application.

Biblical interpretation isn't about becoming a scholar; it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate truth for your specific circumstances. For this reason, the same verse can speak differently to you at different seasons. The Spirit knows exactly what you need to hear from His Word in each moment of your life.

But here's where meditation and memorization become powerful tools for interpretation. When we meditate on Scripture, rolling it over in our minds, considering its meaning throughout our day, we create space for the Holy Spirit to reveal deeper truths. Meditating on the Word of God is like slow-cooking a meal; the longer it simmers, the richer the flavor becomes.

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11, NLT). Memorization takes this process even deeper, and when God's Word lives in our hearts through memorization, the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind during times of temptation, decision-making, and daily challenges. The memorized verse becomes a tool the Spirit uses to interpret life's situations through God's truth.

Think of it this way: interpretation occurs when the Holy Spirit helps us understand what Scripture means, meditation helps us absorb its truth, and memorization ensures that truth is always accessible when we need it most. Together, they create a powerful cycle where God's Word becomes not just understood, but lived.

Today's Application: Choose one verse that spoke to you yesterday. Read it slowly three times, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal something new to you each time. Then commit to memorizing it this week, reviewing it each morning and evening.