Imagine that a man has bought a new toy for his grandchildren. After taking a quick look at the instructions, he sets the booklet aside and gets to putting it together. A few hours later, he humbly opens the instructions again and follows the steps to assemble the toy. Soon it is finished, and the grandchildren play happily.

Grandpa knew the manufacturer had a plan to assemble the toy, but assumed he could figure it out on his own. Many of us approach the Bible in the same way. Instead of treating the Word of God as a manual for living, we only consult it when we do not know what to do.

The Bible teaches believers who God is, what He thinks, and how He acts. Knowing the ways of the Lord ensures that we can make wise choices that honor Him. The Bible is also our instruction book for living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In the passage for today, we read that if a person wants to be righteous, his life must comply with biblical principles, and the only way to do that is to read, study, and meditate on the Holy Scriptures.

The Word of God is a possession of supreme value. Among the riches of the Bible are stories that teach us how to serve the Lord and live in a way that honors Him. It contains a wealth of instructions for building a righteous and meaningful life.

Suggested Prayer: My Beloved Father, I ask your forgiveness because I recognize that I do not always read Your Word to guide my life. Sometimes I lean on my own understanding when it comes to making decisions. Help me to consult Your Word as a manual for living wisely, according to Your will. Help me to serve you and to live in a way that honors you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Psalms 119:10-12 (NVI).

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.