A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, March 3

2Timothy 3:10-17

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul is reminding Peter to remember and continue to learn from the scriptures he has known since childhood. The OT scriptures prepare us for Christ- to be ready for Him and to recognize Him. This reinforces for me the importance of studying and following the teachings of the Old Testament. Without that teaching, we lack the foundation of Jesus’ origin. People do come to believe and accept Christ as their Savior without knowing the Old Testament, but how much richer it is to know the background, and to follow Christ’s story from the beginning! I am so thankful for the gift of the written word of God- what a beautiful blessing it is in our lives.

Holy Lord, you have given us so much! Not only all of the blessings of your love and protection and the promise of eternal life with you, but the written Word to follow and to cherish. It is truly much more than I feel I deserve. You must indeed love your creation, and I am so very grateful. Amen

Becky, transforming