READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL
(Part I)

Have you ever been annoyed by the problems in your life? What about circumstances you just don’t know how to handle? Have you ever faced a family crisis and you just didn’t know what to do? In the midst of your frustration, irritation, and aggravation, you throw up your hands in exasperation. Then you cry out with infuriation, “What do you do when you don’t know what to do?” Perhaps all of us can identify with these less than desirable circumstances. Nevertheless, our problems are not going to disappear just because we ignore them. Like the old country preacher said, “The only thing that will go away if you ignore them is your teeth!” Your problems are not going to go away just because you disregard them! If this be the case, what do I do when I don’t know what to do?

As a Christian, we must first and foremost go to the Word of God. You may unconsciously respond by saying, “why should I go to the Bible?” Isn’t the Bible merely a book full of archaic words and obscure language? Is there anything in the Bible for me? David said in the Psalms, he believed “all” of God’s precepts to be right in “all” matters of life (Psalm 119:128). You mean to tell me the Bible is right in every area of life? Does the Bible claim to be the perfect, inerrant Word of God? King David boldly declared, “the law of the Lord is tamiym {perfect}” or without blemish (Psalm 19:7). Furthermore, he insisted that God’s Word is true from the very beginning and each of His righteous judgments endures forever (Psalm 119:160). From beginning to the end, every single word of God’s decree (the Bible) is accurate and eternal. In other words, the Bible is the infallible Word of God! No wonder David could boast “for ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). The Hebrew word natsab {settled} is also translated “set,” “established” or “fixed.” To put it more literally, the Word of God has been set, established or fixed in heaven forever! By the way, forever is reasonably a long period of time. Therefore, since the Word of God is incorruptible, we can build our lives upon the principles therein. We can go to the Bible and find solutions for all of life’s problems. We can find direction in the matter of family relationships. We can discover instruction concerning our finances. We can find an updated manual on marriage. We can uncover a wealth of wisdom as we face the challenges of parenting. God’s Word provides real answers, for real people, with real problems! For this reason, I want to share with you the importance of embracing the scriptures when we are confused by the problems of life.

What should you do when you do not know what to do? We must go to the Bible because the Word of God provides perfect counsel.

THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR PERFECT COUNSELOR

Do you ever need advice? Do you need counsel? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an infallible counselor at our disposal at all times? Someone who could give us the guidance we need? That is exactly why God gave us the Bible. David said, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel” (Psalm 73:24). In essence the Bible is God’s perfect guidebook. Let me try to explain:

My wife and I live in a modest home surrounded by approximately five acres of land. During the mowing season I cut close to four acres of grass every week. Needless to say, I need a pretty good size garden tractor to keep it all cut. In 1992 we bought a twenty-two horsepower mower with a fifty inch cutting deck. It normally takes two and half hours to cut and trim the yard. After several years of use and abuse I contemplated trading for a newer mower. Just the other day I went to the same local mom and pop store where I bought the first mower in ninety-two. I had a pretty good relationship with this business because they serviced the old tractor every year. We haggled, negotiated and finally came to terms. That evening the owner’s son delivered the new tractor and picked up the old one. This energetic young man was very animated as he demonstrated the options of the newer tractor. He began each sentence by saying, “your old mower had this same feature.” Then he would demonstrate that feature. After about five minutes of instruction, I told the young man, “I didn’t even know the old mower had that feature.” He laughed and tossed me the owners manual for the new tractor and said, “I if all else fails, try reading the instructions.” He then spun on his heels, walked to his truck snickering all the way. I smiled and thought to myself, “I’m going to keep and read this owner’s manual.” I went inside the house and began to share with my wife all the cool gadgets on the new tractor. I was enthusiastic with my presentation. Besides, I had to justify spending the money for the new mower. She sarcastically said, “The old mower had those same gadgets.” I said, “How do you know?” She replied, “I read the owner’s manual” then she gave me that sheepish grin. Needless to say, I spent the entire evening reading the instruction manual.

I think sometimes we all need to be reminded to read God’s instruction manual (the Bible). If you don’t know what to do, try reading the instructions. David tells us that the Bible is a “lamp unto our feet,” and a “light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). In other words, the Bible is God’s guidebook! It will provide us the divine light we need as we navigate through life. God desires to direct every believer through the perfect counsel of His Word.

CLASS EXERCISE

1. Why should you consult the Word of God for direction?

2. In your own words, give a brief testimony on how the Bible has provided you infallible counsel?

3. How have you used the Word as an instruction manual for your life?