God can be your teacher

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Isaiah 2:1-22

TO CHEW ON: "Many people shall come and say,

'Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

To the house of the God of Jacob;

He will teach us His ways

And we shall walk in His paths.'

For out of Zion shall go forth the law

And the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Isaiah 2:3

Do you remember your first teacher? I do! Of all our childhood relationships, the ones we have with our teachers are some of the most impacting.

Teachers have had a tremendous influence in shaping who we are. I have heard stories of people who have experienced years of low self-confidence after  being belittled and criticized by a teacher. Similarly, the course of a life can be set by the inspiration and encouragement of a good teacher. Thus it is exciting to realize that God has an interest in teaching us.

The fact of Gd's instruction spans centuries. He promised to teach Moses what to say when he complained that he had a reluctant tongue (Exodus 4:12). The exodus from Egypt to Canaan was instruction (according to Nehemiah 9:20). Jesus refers to the words of the prophets as instruction that points to Him (John 6:45).

God can start teaching us when we're young and continue the instruction throughout our lives (Psalm 71:17,18). He instructs us corporately and as individuals (Psalm 32:8). His instruction is bit by bit, and given with infinite pains (Jeremiah 32:33), often coming to us when we're most receptive. For Isaiah that was "morning by morning" (Isaiah 50:4).

Some of the things God teachers us are:

• the difference between the holy and the profane (Ezekiel 44:23).

• the right way to live (though for us that no longer involves keeping the law) (Deuteronomy 4:5).

• to love one another (1 Thessalonians 4:9).

• to live in Jesus (1 John 2:27).

What a privilege to be God's student! How blessed we are to have a relationship with such a teacher. It's my goal to get an A in the course of life. What about you?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for the promises, throughout the Bible, to instruct me. Help me to be a diligent and teachable student. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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