A BIG question from Jesus …

A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park tells the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so engrossed in telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio to be distracting, so he switched it off.

As the group neared the lookout tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout who asked why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been stalking the group and the tower lookout was trying to warn them of the danger.

That story reminds me of how God sees everything, which certainly includes the dangers to us that we cannot see. He warns us, as well as leads and teaches us — and reveals Himself to us — through the written Word He has provided for us. Even Jesus emphasized how scripture holds within them the most vital answers for our lives …

“Jesus said to them, ‘Haven’t you read in the scriptures what David did …'” Matthew 12:3.

“And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests …” Matthew 12:5.

“Haven’t you read the scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that …” Matthew 19:4.

“They asked Jesus, ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ ‘Yes,’ Jesus replied. ‘Haven’t you ever read the scriptures? For they say …'” Matthew 21:16.

“Then Jesus asked them, ‘Haven’t you ever read this in the scriptures? …'” Matthew 21:42.

Over an over again, Jesus raised this question. He even clearly stated to one religious sect that their problem was their not knowing the scriptures …

“Jesus replied, ‘Your mistake is that you don’t know the scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God,” Matthew 22:29.

How about you? Have you shut off the messages of God being sent to you, not through a two-way radio, but through the Bible?

Jesus expects the people of God to know His Word!

One writer commented about the Bible, “God placed this high priority on reading the scriptures because He breathed their very words (2 Tim. 3:16). Through the scriptures, God reveals what we are to believe, why we can believe it, where we need correction, and how we are to live in righteousness. It is the Word of God that can equip us for service and ‘… has the power to save your souls’ (2 Tim. 3:17, Jas. 1:21). How valuable it is to read, and be motivated to read, this divine revelation.”

Are you reading the Word of God so that you may hear — and heed — the voice of God?

Scotty