Ready When God Calls

2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

1 Thessalonians 4:11 – And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. (KJV)

His words echo as clearly across the years as if it were yesterday. Our school principal was a giant of a man physically, besides being the pastor of the local Baptist Church. He was in the school system long before the Bible was banished. Every Friday morning we had assembly. He preached to us and managed to work in this Scripture. "'Study'", he said, "'to show yourself approved unto God.' Unless you know what God is saying in His book, you'll never know how to follow Him."

In our technological world today, we realize just how important his words were. Study and learning have become vital to one's survival.

Paul knew this also when he gave this advice to Timothy. Paul had studied and developed an education long before God called to him on the Damascus road. Moses had been educated in the best schools of Egypt before God called him.

It is important at any age for us to be prepared so that God can use us. God's wisdom and knowledge, as well as His love, are His gifts to us, but even then, we need to study and absorb what He is revealing to us.

Prayer: Lord, settle our minds and hearts on Your Word. Inspire us to study that we may know Your will for our lives. If we are to call on Your promises for us, we need to know what Your promises are. These great treasures are contained in Your book. We must study to find them. Guide and direct us toward Your knowledge. Amen.