How Do I Read the Bible Without Making It About Me? (Exodus 14) | Daily Devotional & Bible Study

Today we talk about the very first question we bring to Scripture and why the order matters so much. Using Martha and Mary and the parting of the Red Sea, we practice asking what a passage shows us about God before we ask what it means for us. That habit is how we learn to recognize His voice.

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." (Exodus 14:14)

Questions this episode answers

How do I read the Bible without making it about myself?

Before you ask what a passage means for you, ask what it shows you about God. Application still matters, but it should be built on His character. This order keeps God at the center of the story.

What does Exodus 14 teach about God?

Read only to find ourselves, Exodus 14 becomes a lesson about not complaining. Read to find God, it shows that He fights for His people and acts so that even the Egyptians would know who He is. Moses' words to the people are all about the Lord.

What does seek first the kingdom of God mean?

In Matthew 6:33, seek means to strive after something with intensity, and first means first in priority. Jesus is telling us to look for God before anything else, even before our own need for answers.

Timestamps

00:09 Why the order of your questions matters

01:30 The Martha and Mary trap

03:17 Exodus 14 and the parting of the Red Sea

09:01 What the Red Sea story reveals

12:19 Recognizing a voice you know well

15:41 Why the first question is about God

16:46 Passages that are directly about us

18:17 What seek first the kingdom of God means

Links

If you'd love to read the Gospels with God at the center, our Bible Study Live trip to Rome includes a visit to a room tradition connects to the house of Luke, who wrote down the story of Martha and Mary.

Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

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