I am a firm believer in reading Scripture daily and consecutively. God is gracious and when sincere believers are looking to Him for direction and help He may give them assurance and/or direction even though they may misuse the Bible. The Bible is not a magical book - close your eyes, open at random and the verse you point at will be God's word for you; or a personal promise book - any promise, no matter if totally out of context, no matter how clearly given specifically to a specific biblical person is my promise.
Nonetheless it is the inspired Word of God, providing us with great wisdom and insight. As we fill our minds daily with God's thoughts, the Word is always helpful to us and sometimes will speak a rather personal word to us. I don't expect that to happen often, for I go to the Word to learn about God and about His great truths and principles for life. I learn from His Word about His character, His promises to all of us His children and His commands for all of us. But occasionally something seems especially personal.
Jan and I were discussing God's direction briefly this morning prior to each taking personal time with the Word and prayer. We discussed the variety of happenings and conversations that we need to consider as we seek God's guidance for what is happening - or not happening yet - here in Ho Chi Minh.
When our conversation finished, I began to read Psalm 139, where I left off reading yesterday. I stopped, smiled, and shared the latter part of verse 8 with Jan. "if I settle on the far side of the sea, even then your hand will guide me." Well, we have gone to the far side of a sea much larger than the psalmist could ever imagine. And yes, we believe this truth as deeply as he did. God's hand will guide us, no matter on which side of the ocean we may be living.
Simple truth, obvious and stated many times in Scripture. But this morning, phrased in just the way it was, it seemed an especially fitting affirmation for us today. And I respond with the psalmist "Oh how I love your law (your Word) O Lord."
When you read the Bible daily, pay attention. You never know when a familiar passage may suddenly become very personal and relevant for this day, right where you are. Watch for it.
Nonetheless it is the inspired Word of God, providing us with great wisdom and insight. As we fill our minds daily with God's thoughts, the Word is always helpful to us and sometimes will speak a rather personal word to us. I don't expect that to happen often, for I go to the Word to learn about God and about His great truths and principles for life. I learn from His Word about His character, His promises to all of us His children and His commands for all of us. But occasionally something seems especially personal.
Jan and I were discussing God's direction briefly this morning prior to each taking personal time with the Word and prayer. We discussed the variety of happenings and conversations that we need to consider as we seek God's guidance for what is happening - or not happening yet - here in Ho Chi Minh.
When our conversation finished, I began to read Psalm 139, where I left off reading yesterday. I stopped, smiled, and shared the latter part of verse 8 with Jan. "if I settle on the far side of the sea, even then your hand will guide me." Well, we have gone to the far side of a sea much larger than the psalmist could ever imagine. And yes, we believe this truth as deeply as he did. God's hand will guide us, no matter on which side of the ocean we may be living.
Simple truth, obvious and stated many times in Scripture. But this morning, phrased in just the way it was, it seemed an especially fitting affirmation for us today. And I respond with the psalmist "Oh how I love your law (your Word) O Lord."
When you read the Bible daily, pay attention. You never know when a familiar passage may suddenly become very personal and relevant for this day, right where you are. Watch for it.
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