When this happens, they most likely are glad to find what they’d forgotten they had, and frustrated to realize they could have been using it to their advantage all along. Spiritually speaking, the solution to our problems may be a lot closer than we think. The Bible, so close at hand, is full of practical instruction, encouraging promises, and helpful examples. As beneficial as it is, why don’t we use it more often? What could we be missing by not studying it with greater diligence?
The Bible doesn’t guarantee freedom from problems, but it can equip us to deal with our problems and motivate us to draw on the help God is anxious to provide (Philippians 4:13). And that brings us to prayer. When we pray, we tap into the power of God Himself (Hebrews 4:14-16; Philippians 4:6-7). There’s an old hymn entitled, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” that tells us the following in its lyrics: “O what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer.”
Then there is the local congregation. The benefits of active participation in the church’s worship, work, and fellowship are beyond estimation. Some Christians have never been active members and have yet to experience the spiritual benefits. They don’t know what they’re missing! Others have experienced the benefits, but have somehow let less important things crowd out what they once enjoyed so much. How sad!
The solution may lie closer than we think! The Hebrew writer encourages us to: “…..we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it …. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:1,3 NASB). —David Gibson
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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