Being Well Equipped
Recently two of my sons went on a backcountry hunting trip. It involved lots of hiking in treacherous places with elevations that require strength and endurance. One of my sons lives in that area and so had been in the territory before. He was able to train for the trip in the place where the excursion was to occur. My other son trained as well to build his strength, but he lives in a different location and his training area was not as arduous.
While both made it through the trip okay, one son managed the trip better than the other. The training he did in the local area could not be replicated so easily. It gave him an advantage.
As we traverse the Christian life, we too are faced with treacherous paths that take great strength and endurance. How do we go about equipping ourselves for this challenging journey of life?
Timothy tells us the following:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)
God’s infallible Word is like nothing else in building us up in the faith and strengthening us for our life’s journey. Yes, we may gain encouragement by the words of other believers, but Scripture is the sure and certain Word that guides as God wants.
Many try to get by with just a smattering of Biblical influence. Some figure they can manage with just a basic understanding of God’s Word. Yet, to be truly equipped, we must be dedicated to learning more of what Scripture teaches. That is where we will find true endurance for life’s road.
Reading the Bible is not just about gaining knowledge; it is a tool to strengthen our faith and assist us to walk the Christian path. It is our sure and certain guide as to what is right and wrong. Scripture teaches us about salvation – the most important thing; but it also provides a guidebook as we go out on the “hiking” path in the world. It shows us how we should live and how we should relate to others. It helps us do the good works that God wants us to do (not to gain salvation by the way, but to care for God’s people).
Going about our days without this proper equipment causes us stress, just as my one son faced in the challenging terrain. As we face life’s challenges, we need the support God’s Word brings. Our world is filled with false teachings and people who adamantly go contrary to God’s plan. How can we judge what is true without the equipment God has given us – His Word?
We can have all the tools we need for a hiking trip – proper boots, clothing, etc. – but that is not enough. Without proper training we easily fatigue and often don’t complete the journey.
The same applies to Scripture. It’s lovely to have a Bible but it doesn’t do us much good unless we read the words and apply them to our lives. I’d love to say that I do it right all the time, but I don’t. Way too often I go barreling ahead into a situation without prayerful consideration or examining what God’s Word has to say about the matter. Like an inadequately prepared hiker, I flounder around and high stress and difficulty abound.
My friend, God reaches down to us through His Word. He gives us all we need to be adequately equipped for this life and the next. There are many ways to engage with the Bible these days. Let us encourage one another to cherish God’s Holy Word and to drink from its abundance often.
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