Devotional: Trust the Scripture 2 Timothy 2

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:16-17, NASB).

This morning I am reading an article about how to raise boys. The author argues that boys today do not get enough physical activity and this is a major reason that the behavior of boys today is unsettled. He also argues that the lack of activity contributes to lack of concentration in school. The author says that there is evidence that the lack of activity contributes to ADHD. I find these assertions funny because I am reminded that my mother said that taking the recess periods away from the children was going to lead to behavior problems in the kids. I was in the third grade (about 1957 or 1958) when my mother made her comments.

Now, our pastor is only thirty-one years old. Yet, he often alludes to the fact that many of the hymns of the church and the theology of the saints of yesteryears is now proving to be true. The saints of old did not have much formal education so the words that they used were not quoted scriptures, but the truth of what they were saying can be found in the scriptures.

In our scripture passage the apostle Paul is writing to his protégé Timothy to give him advice on how to manage the conflicts in the church. Paul reminds Timothy that the attitudes and behaviors that he sees in the people; even in the church, is to be expected. People love pleasure more than they love God (v. 4). He advises Timothy to follow his example (vv. 10-11). Timothy should expect difficult days. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (vv. 12-13).

Then, Paul reminds Timothy that he has the right tools for dealing with difficult days and difficult people. Timothy does not need to look beyond what he already has and what he knows to be true (v.14). “From childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v. 15). Timothy can trust the Scriptures to give him instructions to make him adequate and equipped for every good work (vv.16-17).

You and I experience difficult days and we have to deal with some difficult people. How can we manage the conflicts in our lives? What do we do? Where can we find sound and truthful advice and instructions? Who should I believe? Personally, I am thankful that I had parents that taught me to look to the scriptures to find solutions for my problems.

Prayer: Father, I am thankful for the Scriptures that are inspired by God. I pray that more and more people will learn from the Scriptures and trust what they tell us. Amen.