Be still: 'Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Lord, today I ask you to speak to me through your Word. Amen
Read: 2 Timothy 3
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (v16–17)
Encounter: In the United Kingdom, when a King or Queen is crowned, they are given a Bible with these words: 'We present you with this book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.' The sad reality though is that the Bible has become increasingly side-lined—we pick and choose which bits we like and ignore the bits that confront and offend. And we wonder why the church is so confused and robbed of any power and authority.
Paul enlightens us here about the power of Scripture. These words are not just wise musings from religious leaders and thinkers. They are 'God-breathed’ and show us how to live well. The Spirit speaking through Scripture can make us wise; it can keep us from walking down dead-end paths that lead to heartache and destruction. As Eugene Peterson translates it in The Message:
'Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.'
Apply: If this is true, we should passionately devour the Word of God, submit to it and follow its teaching. We are quick to follow the teaching and wisdom of so many ‘experts’ online, failing to draw on the greatest gift we have, God’s Word. In this wonderful book we learn how to live well, how to handle money, how to approach relationships, how to go about work. Not only that we get a window into seeing just how loving and glorious God is. Scripture is alive and active and has the power to change our lives. It truly is 'the most valuable thing that this world affords.'
Devote: Lord, give me a renewed love for the Bible. Teach and train me through your Word. Help me to surrender and submit to your authority found in its pages.