An early innovation, as it relates to automobiles, was the addition of a storage compartment on the front panel or dashboard of the 1900 Packard. Originally used to store gloves, today, today’s car owners stuff their glove compartments with everything: registrations, proof of insurance paperwork, coupons, gift certificates, and a lot of, let’s just say, “stuff.” Among this “stuff” is an Owner’s Manual. Perhaps, yes, perhaps, it was glanced through the first day the car was purchased, but then it became only essential during emergencies. In many cases, it has never been read through or studied completely. It just sits there. And, to top it off, many of the newer cars have another space similar to a glove compartment between the driver’s seat and the passenger’s seat. You can call it what you want, but I will call it a second glove box. Again, the information stored there is not referred to on a regular basis.
Let’s take the analogy above and address the glove box tendency in our lives as children of God. Often, we only pull out our Bibles when we think it’s necessary. Perhaps that means on Sunday only, a day like today. Possibly it is pulled out only in times of emergencies, desperate times, or times where we know we need a closer walk with God. Like the vital information in the glove box for owners, the Bible. A guide for overcomers, is our manual and we should read it…. regularly, repeatedly, and respecting its reliability in redirecting our paths. And even when we don’t pull it out, by reading it thoroughly and studying it deeply, we should definitely store it in our hearts making it available for the Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance what we have read in God’s word.
What is the exhortation this morning? Read the word of God! Study the word of God! Navigate the highways of life by depending on the word of God! Opps! It’s time for you to get to church! Don’t forget your Bible! And during the week and every single day that you are blessed to see, read the word. In this case, reading is very much so, fundamental. Be blessed!
“I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart, so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.” (Psalm 119:11 The Message Bible)
Mark L. King