AUGUST 1,  Proverbs 7:1 - 3

Peter looked up from the scale model of an old castle he was building. He grinned at his father who had come into the messy living room in their Ang Mo Kio flat. “Hi, Dad. I was just measuring the roof to make sure it will fit well,” said Peter. “My castle looks great, don’t you think?” Dad went over to look at the tiny buildings. “Yes, it does,” he agreed.

“I can’t wait to see it all painted and finished,” said Peter, “but there’s still a lot to do first. I have to measure carefully to get everything the right size.” Dad watched a little longer. “Before you get too involved here,” he said, “I think you should do your lesson for the JW meeting. Or have you already finished that?”

“No.” Peter sighed. “I really want to finish this tonight,” he said. “I know, but…” Dad paused and picked up the measuring tape Peter had been using. “Do you really need this?” Dad asked. “You could get it done faster if you’d just guess how big to make each piece instead of taking time to measure them.” Peter shook his head. “Then it wouldn’t turn out right. The pieces wouldn’t fit together like they should. You have to use a tape,” he insisted.

Dad nodded. “We need to use another kind of tape in our lives,” he reminded Peter. “We need something to tell us how God wants us to live. It wouldn’t be good to guess at the measurements for your buildings, and it isn’t good to guess at how God wants you to behave in your daily life, either.”

 Peter shrugged but didn’t look up from working with his building pieces. “So… what do you suppose the measuring tape for life is?” Dad asked.

 Peter stopped working and looked up at his father. “It’s the Bible, isn’t it?” asked Peter. Dad nodded. “So you’re saying that by doing my Bible lesson I’ll be learning things about God and how I should act?” Again Dad nodded. “Well… okay,” agreed Peter. “I’ll go and finish the lesson. I guess my model castle can wait one more day.”

 “Right,” approved Dad. “And whenever you learn something God wants of you, be sure to do it.”

Thought: Do you use the measuring tape – the Bible - God provided for your life?

 Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You that I am able to go to Sunday school. Help me realise the Bible is my “measuring tape” in life, that it gives principles and lessons to guide my behavior in my daily relationships with family, teachers, and friends. And it helps me know what pleases You and what does not. In Jesus’ name, Amen.