"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
My Dad was driving and my brother was up front with him, I was sitting behind them in the car, and we were on our way to Austin. Dad looked at the car's radio to know what time it was, but the time was not set right on that clock. He tried to set the time, but he didn't know what to do. Finally, he reached for a manual and gave it to my brother, who was sitting next to him. "Here, see what it says about it." My Dad said, "I can't figure it out." My brother then opened the booklet, and he found the place where the clock setting was explained. Then as easy as pie, he pressed a few buttons, and so the right time was set and it was correct. He closed the booklet and then returned it to my Dad. "Good job," Dad said, "It's the correct time now, but I couldn't do it myself." Then I listened quietly, as I heard my brother say, "It helps to read the manual."
That was so interesting to me, and I thought of it all that day. Did you know that the Bible is not only our sword and lamp, but it is also our manual? It is the handbook of God, given to us to really consider and live by, read and study it to show ourselves approved unto God. We often think this way, "When all else fails, read the instructions." This is wrong and cannot be done, because all will fail. Only God's way is perfect. I remember my older brother years ago, how he collected model jets and planes, and they were in pieces. They had to be put together with glue. I would watch him build them, and I noticed that he always looked at the instructions that came along with the model plane. He carefully followed the instructions, did his best, and soon a nicely built model plane would appear. It is a rewarding sight to see the fruit of your labor. We should look at the Bible that way, only more seriously, because if God's instruction manual is not followed and obeyed, you're lost forever. You cannot change or ad to the instructions already given, but they must be followed as written. So, read that manual everyday, sharpen that sword daily and follow the instructions found in it, carefully. The way of the Lord is right and His word is very pure. Love it and follow it, trust it and believe it enough to obey it. If we try our own way, write our own manual or do it mans way, everything will go wrong and all will fail. Read the manual, follow the instructions and obey the commandments of God, and surely He will be with you, even in troublesome times. It is a lamp, so care for it as one. Keep it lit with prayer.
May 19, 2002
A devotion of instruction