Open Your Textbooks, Please!

Fall is in full swing and students have settled back into school. College professors everywhere, as well as teachers of all grades, will open classes today with the words “Open your textbooks to page…” Students hear these words over and over throughout their educational life.

The reason for opening the textbooks, reading and listening to class lectures, is to learn the material contained inside. Once the material has been learned, a student must be able to apply the principles in order to fully understand the course matter. Learning the material and applying the principles that are printed in these books, enables the students to pass the tests that will be given throughout the semester. In many cases there are multiple tests during the term, each containing different material. New material often builds upon what has already been learned and tested. The most important test of the year is the final exam. This comprehensive exam will determine how much of the material learned throughout the course has been retained and can be applied.

Many students will cram the night before an exam, attempting furiously to pack as much information into their minds as possible. Although this may have some value on the day of the exam, only true study throughout the entire term, can truly prepare a student for an exam. Material that is not applied may be reproduced on a test paper, but will not be retained long enough to be useful in the future.

As believers in Jesus Christ we have been given a book to both read and study. This great book contains the words of Almighty God himself. Whether we call it the Bible, the Scriptures are simply the Word, it contains all that we will ever need. The apostle Peter wrote, “May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).” (2 Peter 1:2-3 AMP) Reading His word, we gain the knowledge of God.

In both the old and new Testaments we receive instructions to study and meditate on the word of God. The Book of Psalms begins with this statement. “Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.” (Psalm 1:1-2 AMP) The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to, “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) Studying the Bible is critical.

Most importantly, Jesus Christ tells us to learn of Him. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 AMP) By learning of His character and love, we will receive these great benefits.

But we cannot just read and learn what the Scriptures say. We must obey all that is contained in the Bible. To simply read or listen to the words of God we will not grow. We must put into practice what we learn. ^“But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].” (James 1:22 AMP) As we do what the word of God says, it will become a part of our lives.

As we truly make the word a part of our lives, experiencing and obeying it regularly, we will become prepared for the tests and trials that life puts in our path. Confident in the truth of who God is and what He has promised, we can face all circumstances without worry. “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP) With thankful hearts and knowledge of the truth we can overcome and pass any test.

We must listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit today as He urges us to open our spiritual textbook and study the words of life. Attempting to cram when life’s trials come will not be enough. Regular study and application of the truth is imperative. We must read it, study it, and live it. When we faithfully do these three we will be able to pass life's trials, walking in the peace of God.

So open the Word of God. Read it, study it, walk it and you will pass life's tests with flying colors.