“The high priest Hilkiah reported to Shaphan the royal secretary, “I’ve just found the Book of God’s Revelation, instructing us in God’s ways. I found it in The Temple!” He gave it to Shaphan and Shaphan read it. Then Shaphan the royal secretary came back to the king and gave him an account of what had gone on: “Your servants have bagged up the money that has been collected for The Temple; they have given it to the foremen to pay The Temple workers.” Then Shaphan the royal secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” Shaphan proceeded to read it to the king. When the king heard what was written in the book, God’s Revelation, he ripped his robes in dismay. And then he called for Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the royal secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal aide. He ordered them all: “Go and pray to God for me and for this people—for all Judah! Find out what we must do in response to what is written in this book that has just been found! God’s anger must be burning furiously against us—our ancestors haven’t obeyed a thing written in this book, followed none of the instructions directed to us.” (2 Kings 22:8-13 The Message Bible)
Wednesday I was waiting for a load of laundry to finish its cycle in the dryer. Not really wanting to watch the news where nothing is new, I started going through an old magazine in my wife’s office, a magazine that had escaped my spur of the moment discard stuff moments. I start from the back, flipping pages, looking for something of interest. I find two recipes, one for “Spaghetti Squash Primavera” and the other for “Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork With Pineapple Barbecue Sauce.” I decided that I was going to try one of them on Thursday.
I thought about my habit of scanning through magazines, books, and other multi-page publications, typically from the back first. Rumor has it that many smart people do the same thing. Smile, laugh, and then keep reading on. I just thought I would throw that in to get your attention. Honestly, I don’t know why I have this habit. But as I thought about this tendency, I said to myself, “If I ever do write another book, I am going to put something real interesting at the end for people like me. And I would put something in the middle of the book for those who have a different habit and go write to the center of the book as they are scanning it. Then, of course, I would try to make the opening page of the book so alluring, that readers would be attracted to it and would want to see what this author has to say.” Will I ever publish another book? Who knows? I have a level of personal satisfaction merely serving others through these daily meditations.
When you pick up your Bible to read, looking for something good and of interest, it does not matter if you start at the beginning, the middle, or the end. You will find something of that catches your eye and is of great value. As a matter of fact, you, yes you, will find something useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living. Be assured that all that you will find in “The Book” will advance your efforts to be better. Scan your Bible daily, using the approach that you prefer; start from front, middle, or back. After finding something, setting your glare on a scriptural recipe, either something new or something that reacquaints you with something you have read before, do exactly what I did with one of my recipes above, TRY IT! Search through that publication with the recipes for life. In case you want to know, my “try” came out alright as I followed the Spaghetti Squash Primavera recipe. Don’t be surprised, shocked are stunned when your try with the scriptural wisdom from the publication with the recipes for righteous living comes out alright too! Have a great Friday! Be blessed!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.” (2 Timothy 3:16-16 Good News Translation)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King