“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB)
We scan through the enticing headlines on the internet when we initially open up our computer to one of the web services providers. We see headlines, teasers like, “You Would Not Believe His Net Worth,” referring to some celebrity. Or, “You Would Not Believe Who He Is Married To,” referring to another star caliber person, and then there are some like, “You Would Not Believe Where They Are Now,” referring to famous persons who have long retired. Now the enticing headline typically mentions the name of one particular person. I’ll admit it, I have fell into this trap before too. We think that the article we open up will be specifically about that one person, but oh no. You have to go through ten to twenty other persons’ stories before you get to the person you want to read about. It’s a smart way by the web service to sell advertisement space in between stories, hoping to get your attention and move you to purchasing something you probably don’t even need. So, we devote a lot of time reading about others, without complaining, as we finally get to who we want to learn about. Yes, we devote time and energy to going through this unexpected long list of stories. Sometimes, when you are done, you feel like it’s a waste of time.
Well, as you go through the word of God; when you set aside some time to look up something in the Scriptures, you may spend a lot of time and energy doing that too. But let me tell you, it’s not a waste of time. Everything you read will be profitable for you.
For instance, if you wanted to find stories about some women who received back their dead by resurrection in a study of Hebrews 11, a chapter that describes faith and gives examples of the faith of people who gained approval, you would not get to the unnamed references to the widow of Zarephath’s son and the Shunammite’s son until you get to verse 35. And even then, you would have to go look further in I Kings and 2 Kings. But as you travel from verse 1 to verse 35, you will read about the stores of others who we refer to as being in the Hall of Faith. Yes, to name a few, you will read about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. You will read about those who quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, went from weakness to being strong, and individuals who became mighty in war, putting foreign armies to flight. You will read a lot. And when you finish, you will conclude that such reading of the word, “It’s not a waste of time.” There are no commercials and no advertisements to detract you, but there will be the Holy Spirit stepping in every once and awhile to make you pause and praise God. Afterwards your faith will be strengthened and again you will conclude when it comes to spending time in the word, “It’s not a waste of time.” Speaking of time, shouldn’t you be on your way to worship right now! It’s not a waste of time either! Be blessed!
“Take time. Study God’s Word. It will change you.” (Gail Davis)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King