Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: March 25th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Philippians 3:1-14

We spend one more day setting the stage before lifting the curtains on this most important subject of the nature and character of God. It must not be assumed from what has been said over the past couple of days that the study of Scripture and contemplation of the principles which God has built into His Word are unimportant. They most certainly are. What I am saying is this - let us be on our guard that we do not fall into the trap of contemplating the principles which God has built into the universe more than God Himself. I have often seen students of Scripture fall into this trap when, in reading their Bible, the only things that get their attention are the principles that relate to godliness. They underline them in their Bible, mark alongside them other Scriptural references, and think that by doing this they are growing spiritually. The problem, however, is that only the principles of daily personal godliness capture their interest; their heavenly Father does not. Imagine treating a love letter that way: identifying and underlining the principles, reflecting on the profundity of some of the insights, marvelling at the clarity of the language and yet missing the main purpose of the letter - romantic passion and love. Yet this is the way some people approach the Bible. Our aim in studying the nature and character of God must be to know God better (not merely know His Word better), and we must seek to enlarge our acquaintance not simply with the characteristics of His nature, but with the living God whose characteristics they are.

O God, help me never to approach the Bible content to know only the written Word. Give me a passion that never remains satisfied until, through the written Word, I discover more of the living Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.