NOVEMBER 25, 2 Timothy 2:15 

Joshua sprawled on his bed and flipped through a pile of photographs. When his dad looked in, Joshua glanced up. “Hey, Dad! I think I’ll be a deep sea diver someday,” Joshua announced. “Look at these pictures Uncle Loong brought over this afternoon. He took them when he went deep sea diving in Phuket.”

Dad peered over Joshua’s shoulder. “What unusual plants and animals!” Dad exclaimed. “And what vivid colors!” His eyes twinkled. Together they examined more of the pictures. “God must have a wonderful imagination in order to create such a variety of life forms,” observed Dad. “Uncle Loong says the farther down in the ocean you go, the prettier it gets,” said Joshua as he picked up another picture. He paused and turned to his dad. “Why do you suppose God made such interesting creatures and then hid them down deep in the ocean where most people don’t ever see them?”

Dad thought for a moment. “I’m not sure,” he said, “but these pictures remind me of the great God we have – and also of the riches that we can find in the Bible.” “The Bible?” repeated Joshua. “What do these pictures have to do with the Bible?” Dad smiled. “Well, think of Uncle Loong. He’s seen the ocean many times, and yet he decided he wanted to explore it more thoroughly – to go down deep to see what he could discover. Do you think he was rewarded for his efforts?” “He sure was,” said Joshua as he shuffled through the pictures again.

Dad nodded. “It’s like that with God’s Word,” he said. “If we explore and study it, He’ll reward us, too. I used to think personal devotions weren’t important. I figured I’d already heard all those Bible stories – and biblical principles – in church and Sunday school.”“You probably had,”said Joshua. "I have, too.”

“We’ve heard many,” agreed Dad, “but God will reveal additional knowledge, insights, and wisdom to those who are willing to dig deeper into His Word. Get it?” Thoughtfully, Joshua nodded.

Thought: Are you aware that the Bible has much more to teach you?

Prayer: O my Heavenly Father, I confess I have been lazy and have not been diligent to read the Bible. Teach me to divide the Word of truth, to study the Bible, and I would be rewarded with so much lessons and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.