READING: Proverbs 16-18, Romans 15
The older I get, the more I appreciate and love the Word of God. In fact, I wish I would have viewed the Word more as life-giving when I was a young pastor; I fear that I viewed it more then as my textbook for teaching others. Seminary probably didn’t help that perception, either. Today, though, the Word continues to be for me what Moses said of his own words in Deuteronomy 32:47 – “For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life.”
Paul said essentially the same thing in today’s New Testament reading. Referring primarily to the Old Testament writings – but surely now applied to our New Testament as well – Paul wrote, “For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures” (Rom 15:4). God inspired a word for us that would instruct us, grant us hope when we endure the struggles of life, and bring encouragement to our hearts. That Word is uniquely powerful to do such things.
On the days that I grow weary of writing these devotions, I need to remember these words. I pray the Word gives you instruction, hope, and encouragement today.
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for the privilege we have of access to Your Word.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 40, Romans 16