A True Transformation

Give me understanding, so that I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.

Psalm 119:34 (NIV)

Raised in a literary environment—surrounded by numerous intellectuals from diverse fields—young David decided, upon reaching adulthood, to build his own personal library. He acquired a multitude of books covering a wide range of subjects, and he read a good number of them. One day, while entertaining a friend at his home, he boasted about the impressive number of books he had read. He showed his friend the most interesting titles he had finished; his friend picked one up and opened it. Inside, he discovered numerous checkmarks, words that were underlined or circled, and even bookmarks.

Intrigued, his friend asked him why he had defaced his books in such a way. David’s answer was deeply disappointing. He explained that, although he read voraciously, certain words eluded him; he noted that certain paragraphs had caught his attention—marked for future reference—and that the bookmarks served simply to allow him to revisit those passages later on. What a shock! David owned excellent books, and he certainly read them; yet, he failed to truly grasp the meaning of his reading or to put its teachings into practice. This is something that happens to us all. We possess the Bible—the very Word of God. We take pride in having read it from cover to cover in a single year, and yet, we remain unable to apply its teachings to our own lives.

Owning several versions of the Bible, or reading the entire book within the span of a year, is by no means a divine requirement—contrary to what many seem to believe. People quote verses here and there; they circle and underline numerous passages, without ever returning to them afterward. If you read the Bible, your goal should be to learn what God’s will is, to understand it, and to be able to apply it to your own life. This is precisely what God expects of us when He instructs us to meditate on His Word. Unless you possess a solid understanding—and know *when* and *how* to put it into practice—owning a Bible (or even several versions) will be of no use to you whatsoever—absolutely none. Do not make the same mistake as young David; instead, ensure that your Bible truly transforms your life.

May God’s grace and peace be with you.