Daily Devotional
Word of the Day
Preparing or Wanting?
Pastor Scott
Friday, May 21, 2004
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"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
(2 Timothy 3:15)
If we're going to be watchful, it's not just watching the circumstances around us. It's looking into the mirror of the Word of God and being watchful to find out what condition we're in to deal with the circumstances of the world. If we're searching the Scriptures to know what manner of man we are, if we are continually adorning ourselves in the armor of God, we will be able to stand. "Having done all, stand" (Eph. 6:13).
Are you making preparation to stand, or do you just want to stand? You may say, "It's my intent to make it. When that day comes, I'm going to really suck it up and make an effort!" Then it's too late! You don't prepare for the Olympics the week before you get on the plane. You don't start the NFL season on the kick-off--they'll carry you out. All year you're in the weight room, you're running, you're improving your speed and strength, you're improving your techniques, because everybody else is. Good intentions don't win football games or races. Everybody wants to win, but what are you doing to prepare to stand in this day?
"...From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation...." (2 Tim. 3:15). Paul was going away, but he wasn't the source of wisdom. All he did was reaffirm to Timothy what he already knew of the Word of God. Teachers are individuals who clarify, reaffirm, or stir up what you already know to be true--the Word of God. Our teachers help instruct us and motivate us to know how to do the Word. Like personal trainers, they want to get that last rep out of you. As you're trying to get that last rep up on the bench press, they're yelling, "Don't quit on me now! You owe me one more! Come on, you dog!" (You're paying them for that!) You finally get the last rep out. That's what our instructors and teachers do to prepare us for the day that we're in.
"...The holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture..." As Paul is going away, he's pointing Timothy back to the Word of God: He's going, but the source of his power--the Word of God--is staying. Paul wouldn't be there personally to counsel him anymore, but his Counselor would. How much time are you spending in the Word of God to find out who you are? How much time are you spending (as James says in his epistle) looking in the mirror to see what condition you're really in? We don't see ourselves clearly. Many of us see ourselves one way, but in reality we're like the little cartoon character that flexes his muscle a little and it falls down underneath. That's where most of us are, but we won't believe it! Brothers and sisters come to encourage us, but we say, "Don't judge me. Who do you think you are? You've got faults!"
They can say, "Yes, I do, but at least my little bump is on the other side."
Be followers of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises of God (Heb. 6:12). Find somebody who has it working and get next to them to go where they're going.