2012 is over.
There are many, including myself, who were quite happy to kiss that year goodbye. Yet, in regards to my Bible reading God met me in amazing, undeserving ways, and I’m sure He met you too. He is faithful to care for us even when we are not faithful to Him. We are His–forever! It isn’t dependent on what we do or don’t do. Christ did everything for us so we can be free to receive His love and mercy each and every day.
Using our traveling metaphor, I feel as if my car sputtered through 2012. It was an uncomfortable ride stopping, going, darting forward and stalling out. I wanted to get out and forsake the whole trip, but God wouldn’t let me. It was as if He wanted to teach me something in my weakness. And that He did!
Most of you know my Mom died on December 15th after only 3 weeks of being diagnosed with abdominal cancer. It went unbelievably fast, yet felt at the time like life was moving in slow motion. It was strange and very emotional. On Dec. 3rd, I realized I hadn’t even looked to see what New Testament book I was to read for the month of December. I looked it up and turned to 2 Timothy:
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
(2 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV) Emphasis mine.
This book was Paul’s final letter before he died. It was as if God took me through an entire year of a Bible reading plan to get me to this month. I clung to every word finding rich encouragement from Paul to me. He was reminding Timothy of that which is most important in life. He was encouraging him to continue pressing on no matter the setbacks. I was so affected that God in His kindness would care for me in such a special way. I love God’s Word. I love encouraging others to read it daily for rich mercy in their time of need. But to have this kind of fuel poured into my struggling car for free, no less, brings tears to my eyes.
God knows us intimately. He knows exactly what we need. He is willing to have us face 11 months of struggle in our reading plan in order to get us to the 12th month where the doors of Heaven will open and rain fresh mercy down on us.
So I encourage you, to pray to God for direction in how He would have you read His word this year. Then, stick to it. You never know when the sky will open and a refreshing rain will descend.
Route 66 Club 