2020 Daily Devotion - Day 249

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When I was a boy, I attended a Lutheran elementary school. Each week, we would have chapel services. I actually remember a couple of those chapel services. In one of them, I remember Pastor Shank giving a sermon on how the Bible was like a compass. Since I was a Cub Scout at the time, I actually knew what a compass was. However, while I knew what a compass was, I didn’t know how to use one. Perhaps the reason I remember the sermon is because of what I did later that day. That afternoon, I found my compass and went into the backyard. I shook the compass, and wherever the needle pointed is where I would start to walk. The only trouble was that it kept going back to north, which at the time I didn’t really understand. Using the compass in this way was getting me nowhere in addition to being very confusing. 

From that experience, over time I learned a couple of lessons. The first lesson is you cannot make the Bible say what it doesn’t say. You can’t shake it like I shook the compass and wonder why it doesn’t work. You cannot twist the Bible into teaching you something contrary to God’s will. It will always tell you the truth and sometimes a truth you don’t want to hear – but a truth given to us out of God’s great love. The second lesson is the Bible is like a compass. It will always point north; to the truth. Through my life, I have gained more than I can imagine through deep study of the Bible. It has always brought comfort in times of stress. It has made clear to me who God is and what He wants to do in my life – and so much more. It has taught me principles essential to living successfully. I can’t imagine life without God’s Word; the Bible. Here is how the Psalmist put it:

Psalm 119:9 NRSV
How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, how blessed we are through Your Holy Word; the Bible. Help us to be diligent in reading and studying it. Give us humble spirits so we might submit to it in all areas. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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