Search the Scriptures

Search the Scriptures

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11

I love reading the writings of the Puritan preachers. They didn’t beat around the bush! They spoke the truth and very direct. Today’s devotional is from the pen of William Gurnall from his writings from The Christian Armor. If you don’t have this resource in your library, it would be a wise investment.

The Word of God is called a light unto our feet-not to our tongues, merely to speak about-but to our feet, to walk by. Getting knowledge is your work; opening your heart to understand is the work of the Holy Spirit. But you must ask Him for wisdom and believe He will give it to you. God has promised wisdom to those who "ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6).

Strive for wisdom, not so that men will respect and admire you, but so that they will celebrate God's greatness. The end of every human effort should be to magnify His name. Go to God with David's prayer on your lips: "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works" (Psalm 119:27). Do not give up when the lessons are long or hard to understand. Scripture promises, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord" (Hosea 6:3).

The mysteries of Christ are not learned in a day. Too many read a chapter or two in the Bible, then for lack of interest put it down for weeks at a time and never look at it. Bernard compares the study of the Word and the mere reading of it to the difference between a close friendship and a casual acquaintance. If you want genuine knowledge, he says, you will have to do more than greet the Word politely on Sundays or nod reverently when you chance to meet it on the street.

You must walk with it and talk with it every day of the week. You must invite it into your private chambers, and forego other pleasures and worldly duties to spend time in its company. Do you long for greater intimacy with your heavenly Father? Then meditate often and long on His Word. David likens the Word for sweetness to honey and the honeycomb. Like the honeycomb, the Bible is so rich and full that at first reading some wisdom will now and then drop from it. But unless you press it by meditation, you leave the most behind. William Gurnall. The Christian in Complete Armour (Kindle Locations 1246-1251). Kindle Edition.

As we bring this week to a close, I want to remind you that if you want to be a godly example, one of the disciplines we need to practice is searching the Scriptures. If you want to be a godly man, and you’re not already doing it, at least start by reading a chapter from Proverbs every day. It will be a big help to you. Have a great weekend. Keep pressing on. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: 2 Samuel 9-11; Proverbs 20; Luke 15:11-32

Motivations:  They that know God will be humble and they that know themselves cannot be proud. John Flavel

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Ephesians 5:17-18; Level 2: Ephesians 5:8-14

Powered Up:  You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but cannot do more than pray until you have prayed! – John Bunyan