Walking With Jesus (Growth)Sample

Following the husk

James 1:22

According to a legend told by Jewish rabbis, when Joseph became prime minister of Egypt during a famine, he dumped the husk from the stockpiles into the Nile. The husk would follow the river's flow that people living in the downstream area could see it. When they saw the floating husk, they believed that there was wheat somewhere. They could go upstream to find the source of the husk. They could find an abundant supply of grain to quench their hunger at that place.

The presence of the husk indicates the presence of a grain supply. The same thing applies to the Bible. The Bible is the written word of God that guides us to meet our spiritual needs. However, we often treat the Bible as the ultimate goal. We are satisfied after reading the Bible and complementing it with devotional and spiritual books, we are satisfied after we participate in Bible study groups and listen to the sermons diligently every Sunday. We are satisfied because we feel that we have known the Bible.

All activities related to the Bible above are necessary and important, but they are just the husk. Doing all of these diligently is not enough to get the true benefit of God's word. Reading, listening, and studying the Bible are the first steps. This initial step will only increase our knowledge of the Bible. What we read, hear, and learn will only be beneficial when we are willing to obey and do it in our daily lives. The Bible will change us from time to time. Knowing the Bible won't change anything, but doing what the Bible says will change things. That's an abundant supply of grain for us.

Reflection:

1. How do you meet your spiritual needs? Do you think that is enough to change you?

2. What things have changed about you in line with your knowledge of the Bible?

Practice: Knowing God's word is not enough for us because God's word has the potential to change us. Open your heart and let God's word scratch it.