Beyond the Words: Encountering the God of the BibleSample

God is the Main Character

Ever start watching a movie and realize you're still thinking about the trailers? The feature film begins, and for a moment you think, "Wait—what am I watching again?"

I do this with the Bible all the time.

I bring the "previews" of my own life—my problems, relationships, to-do lists—to Scripture. Or I get so captivated by the Bible characters that I completely forget whose story I'm really reading.

It's one of the easiest ways to miss what God wants to show you.

We've already talked about how Bible characters were real individuals having genuine encounters with God. But that doesn’t mean that the person deserves all our attention.

When reading Bible stories, I often focused on the humans—their choices, their faith, their failures—and completely missed seeing God as the main character of His own story.

When we miss seeing God there, we’re missing the point.

Take Peter walking on water, for example. This story is typically referenced in terms of Peter's actions: his courage to step out of the boat, his momentary faith, his failure when he looked at the waves. I've heard countless sermons about "getting out of your boat" or "keeping your eyes on Jesus, not the waves."

Those are valuable lessons, but when I make Peter the main character, I miss seeing Jesus on display.

Let's try looking at this story differently. What happens when we intentionally shift our focus to Jesus?

• Jesus prioritized time alone with the Father
• Jesus displayed His supernatural authority over creation
• Jesus spoke words of comfort to His disciples when they were afraid
• Jesus invited Peter into the miraculous
• Jesus immediately reached out His hand when Peter began to sink
• Jesus received worship as the Son of God

This isn't contradictory to what we learned yesterday about seeing real humans engaging with God. In fact, it's complementary. When we understand both the reality of the people AND God's central role in their stories, Scripture comes alive in remarkable ways.

Looking at Scripture this way transforms it from a collection of moral lessons and ancient stories into a revelation of who God is.

This approach applies to every story in the Bible.

In David and Goliath, instead of focusing primarily on David's courage, look for God's power working through an unlikely vessel.

In Esther, beyond admiring her bravery, notice God's sovereign orchestration behind the scenes.

God is always the main character. Every story points to Jesus. Every passage reveals something about who He is, what He's like, and how He relates to His people.

When you read the Bible, try asking:

• What does this passage reveal about God's character?
• How is Jesus on display here?
• What is God doing in this story that only He could do?
• How does this connect to God's larger redemptive story?

This shift in focus doesn't diminish the human characters or the lessons you learn from them. Instead, it places those lessons in their proper context—as natural responses to knowing God better.

As you read the verses for today’s plan, seek to read with fresh eyes, intentionally looking for how God is revealing Himself as the main character. Ask Him to show you aspects of His character you may have overlooked before.

The journey doesn't end here. Tomorrow, discover the simple practice that turns Bible reading from a passive solo activity into a life-changing experience.