SEEKING AND FINDING
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2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NRSV)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and
firmly believed, knowing
from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you
have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct
you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All
scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, so that everyone
who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every
good work.
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All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (NRSV)
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OCCASIONALLY I am in the center of our small town
early in the morning,
when the only shop open is the news agent's. People
leaving the shop scarcely
wait to get out before opening the paper and halting
to read something. What
are they anxious to find? Are they checking the obituaries
or answers to
yesterday's difficult crossword? Have they written a
letter to the editor and hope
to see it published? Or perhaps they are checking the
sale ads, the gossip columns,
or stock prices. I have never asked. Yet I have wished
many times that I could
display similar eagerness about searching the scriptures
daily to find answers to
things I am concerned about.
We are advised to do this again and again in both the
Old Testament and the
New Testament. Today's reading from 2 Timothy is just
one example. Jesus told
his listeners they would find testimony of him in the
scriptures and to follow where
the scriptures led (John 5:39). Paul and Silas praised
the people who examined
the scriptures every day (Acts 17:11).
In times of sorrow or joy, doubt or assurance, tedium
or excitement, I have found
that searching God's word has brought the right message
for my particular situation.
I want to look eagerly for its daily message for me.
Prayer: O God, send your Holy Spirit upon us today
so that
we may look to your word. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God's word has something to say to me today.
-- Elizabeth Urch (Pitlochry, Scotland)
PRAYER FOCUS: Those seeking God in the scriptures
Upper Room Ministries | 1908 Grand Avenue | P.O. Box
340004 |
Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
