Daily Provision
“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
Psalm 119:165 ESV
The Bible is our manual for how we should live. When we take the guidance it offers, it gives us the peace it promises.
It provides hope and encouragement for the weary. It describes how all wrongs will be made right.
Throughout antiquity, many have referred to its pages and were blessed and encouraged.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.“ (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
The Psalmist is right. There is a wonderful resource for us in the Bible, God’s Law, and we need its comfort and encouragement every day.
“The Bible is not an option; it is a necessity. You cannot grow spiritually strong without it.” Billy Graham
Comfort and reassurance comes from reading Scriptures such as Psalm 23, where we understand that “The Lord is my shepherd“.
Then, in John 10:1-16, Jesus confirms that He is “the good shepherd“ who “lays down His life for the sheep“.
“Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.“ (John 10:6-10 NLT)
“Beware of that miserable habit of mind into which some readers of the Bible fall. They receive some doctrines because they like them: they reject others because they are condemning to themselves, or to some lover, or relation, or friend. At this rate the Bible is useless. Are we to be judges of what ought to be in the Word? Do we know better than God? Settle it in your mind that you will receive everything and believe everything, and that what you cannot understand you will take on trust. Remember, when you pray, you are speaking to God and God hears you. But, remember, when you read, God is speaking to you, and you are not to “talk back“ but to listen. For another thing, “read the Bible every day.” Make it a part of every day’s business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word. Private means of grace are just as needful every day for our souls as food and clothing are for our bodies.“ J.C. Ryle