One of my hidden talents is picking out the perfect birthday card for my family members and friends. I will spend a significant amount of time searching until I find just the right card, and I send the card with much joy and anticipation for the moment when my family member or friend receives the card. In fact, when I recently sent a birthday card to my sister, I called her multiple times just to see if the card I sent had arrived to her. I was so excited for her to receive it. If I, an imperfect human being, carry much joy and excitement for those I love to read the cards I send, imagine how much more joy and enthusiasm God has for when His children read His word, which He specifically gifted us with. In fact, reading Scripture is one way we can grow in our relationship with Him and worship Him.
The apostle Paul encourages Timothy and the rest of his readers to worship God by clinging to His word. He writes in this passage of Scripture, "You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus" (verses 14-15). Paul was calling Timothy (and us) to stay faithful to the Scripture he knew and had been taught. Paul continued writing, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” (verses 16-17). Every word in Scripture is straight from God’s word. It corrects, teaches, and equips us. When we read God’s word, learn from it, and obey it, we live a lifestyle that honors Him.
The Bible is God’s incredible gift to us. The question is, will we open the incredible gift of God’s word to us? He went to great lengths to give us His word. His word is a guide for us. It also comforts us. It helps us live a life that honors God and points others to Him. God’s word is a gift. Will you study it, memorize it, and obey it?
After you read the verses from the Going Deeper section below, pray. Thank God for the gift of His word. Commit to spend your life studying His word and ask Him to help you as you seek to obey Him and His word.
1You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
