God expresses Himself through His living Word. Hans Urs Von Balthasar said so brilliantly in his book entitled Prayer, “God’s Word is Himself, His most vital, His most innermost self” (pg.15). The knowledge or the life of God is communicated through the Word of God. Prayer is not meant to be a monologue. It is meant to be a dialogue that utilizes as specific language: God’s language, His Word. Often we have to be quiet for a moment-shut down everything and sit and receive the Word.
This is the door, the medium, through which we converse with God and His life is opened up to us. If we do not understand the purpose of the Word, we will miss out on the life of God. Finding God through His Word coverts us into a better likeness and image of our Creator. Every word in the Bible is a divine door into the heart of God and a divine ladder that brings us into the spiritual realm to be with God where He is.
Instead of reading God’s Word casually or disconnectedly, I come to it with humility and expectation. I make a point to be intentional and engaged. And I acknowledge that Jesus is calling me to know Him as much today as He did thousands of years ago when the Word was spoken. Every time we come before the Word, the Word of God pierces us to the core. It brings down our arrogance and pride, but edifies our spirits and enlightens our minds. Most importantly, the Word of God ushers us into an encounter with the living God. That’s its purpose. If we don’t receive the Word with that paradigm, if we don’t’ expect to meet Jesus each time we open the Word, we become dry and unaffected and bored. We will only know about God; we won’t truly know Him.