After losing my wife in an automobile accident in 2008, I have struggled with recurring depression. The darkness of depression can attack without warning. It does not ask permission and it does not need a reason. Make no mistake; depression is real.
I remember one difficult time in particular when I was feeling like a total failure as a parent. Playing with my son reminded me of my wife’s absence. And at the same time, retreating from my son caused me to feel the guilt of neglecting him. I felt as though the joy of parenting was out of my reach. No matter what I did, I could not escape the pain.
It was during that time that I was going through a desk drawer trying to find my scissors (they hide frequently). As I was searching through the drawer, I came across an envelope with my name on it.
I opened the envelope and immediately knew what I was holding. It was the Father’s day card my wife, Jill, had given me the year before. I opened the card and read the words, “You are going to be a great father. Love, Jill.”
I cried tears of joy. Jill had just spoken to me with just the words I needed to hear! The message was right on time.
On a much greater scale, God’s Word speaks to us with just the words we need to hear. But instead of giving us a message in a random card from time to time, God’s Word has been given to us in a format we can read at any time.
When we open His Word, we can always read confidently knowing that every Word is trustworthy and true. We never read a syllable of His Word that is not relevant, on time, and applicable to our lives.
In Isaiah 55:11, God explains that His Word “shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Every time your eyes focus on the words of Scripture, you receive a message that is perfectly purposed for you. With such a life-transforming message at your disposal, why would you ever want to let your Bible get lost on the shelf or in your junk drawer (with my scissors)? Instead, why don’t you resolve to begin opening His Word daily in anticipation of the message He has in store for you? After all, His message is always right on time!