Pray:
Lord, You are my rock. Whatever comes, I will stand because You are the foundation of my life.
Read:
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Reflect:
Do you consider yourself to be rooted in the Word of God?
Paul is blunt. The Christian life is not devoid of difficulties or hardship. Persecution will happen (12). But Paul challenges Timothy to stand firm by grounding himself in the Scriptures (14-17). The term "Scriptures" here of course refers to the Old Testament, but there are indications that it was already beginning to include parts of the New Testament (cf. 1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:16).
For Paul, Timothy should root himself in the Scriptures because the Word is authoritative ("God-breathed," 16), teaches us about salvation (15), and helps us grow (16). It does this because it is a barometer by which we know what to teach and how to train a person in the things of God. It is also a measure by which to correct and rebuke. This was significant for Timothy in Ephesus, but is equally important for us now.
In today's world, where truth is thought of as only personal to you, the Scriptures provide an external challenge to our own and others' internal perceptions. The Bible isn't just a nice thing to read--it is what we should live our lives by!
Apply:
Thank God for the Scriptures and invite him to continue speaking to you through his Word.
Pray:
Gracious God, You are good and You only do what is good. Help me to trust in You alone.
