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But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2)

Beth-le-hem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. Insignificant as a tiny loaf of bread...yet the Lord, through the writing of a minor prophet eight centuries earlier, puts his finger on Bethlehem and announces that this place will be famous. Why, that’s like the President addressing Muleshoe, Texas, or Pea Ridge, Arkansas, saying, “From you there will come forth a great person.”

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (Psalm 40:1–2)

When I mention the name of David, unfortunately, many people think first of his failure—and it is a glaring one. At the height of his career, he stumbled into lust. The lust turned into open adultery, the adultery led to murder, the murder led to deception—in fact, almost a year of lying to his people.

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)

What’s true about life in general is also true about the Christian life in particular. You and I are in a little boat. And that little boat has put out to sea. We are on a journey toward knowing and obeying God. Have you noticed how few there are who stand alongside as we push out into the sea, saying, “Good for you! Go for it! You can make it! You’re on the right track! God be with you!”?

This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

You might have the idea that if you take pen in hand and open the Bible and start in Genesis and work your way through to Revelation, you’ll have it all put together. You’ll not only understand everything about God, you’ll understand all the mysteries, right? Wrong!

This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: That they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8)

Some of you are getting downright serious about Bible study. Good for you! Since that is true, you need to get hold of some tools that will help you do that. I call these tools abuse-busters!

They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. (Nehemiah 8:8)

How about five simple rules for accurately handling Scripture? Each includes a different word—what, who, why, where, and when.

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:14–16)

What benefits come my way when I rely on this marvellous Book?

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. (Psalm 119:92)

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)