Have you ever read a portion of God’s Word only to find yourself totally disconnected from what you just read? Your hands held the Bible, your eyes scanned the page, and your mouth voiced the words…but your mind did not process the truth? I have been there.

When I approach a portion of Scripture I am always looking to make a real connection with the Word of God, and ultimately with the God of the Word. Our thoughts, our will, the deepest part of our hearts must be engaged. Certainly there must be an understanding of the flow of the passage, but it must go deeper. We want to know the Lord, to hear His voice, to commune with His heart.

Here are three connections you should seek to make with every Scripture passage:

1. The immediate connection. In this we must give attention to the context of the text. What is the setting of the Scripture? Identify the original writer, the original audience, and the original purpose for writing. It is vital that we understand the verses that precede and follow the passage we are meditating on. We must not be guilty of interpreting Scripture in the light of our culture or through the lens of our context. Instead, we must interpret Scripture in view of God’s original intent. Start here.
2. The divine connection. Remember that the Bible is more than information – it is revelation. What is the place of this passage in the whole scheme of Scripture? Each portion of the Bible fits into the overarching theme of God’s revelation. Find the emphasis of the passage and how it connects to the whole of God’s Word. The goal is God and our desire is to know Him more personally.
3. The personal connection. This is where the truth gets real to us! How does this revelation become application? Seek to meet God in the Word but leave with some truth about God that you can put into practice. The theological must become practical. The Christian moves from his knees to his feet.

It is the Holy Spirit who opens Scripture to us. He is the divine connection between Heaven and earth! Depend on the Holy Spirit and give attention to what He is saying through each passage. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

You can be sure that the Holy Spirit will do His work. We must do ours.