Same Old Thing

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:127-135

Beckett watched as his sister Avery put on her coat, ready to leave for the children’s program at their church. “It’s too bad you have a cold and can’t come,” said Avery.

Beckett shrugged. “Pastor Walters said the speaker would be talking about Noah, and I’ve heard that story lots of times. It’d just be more of the same old thing.” He noticed Mom frown when he said that. Muffling a sneeze, he turned on the TV.

“Watching the football game?” Dad asked after Mom and Avery had left. “That’s the one we recorded while we were at your cousin’s wedding last weekend, isn’t it? You already know who won.”

“Yeah,” Beckett said, “but I like to see it anyway.”

When Mom and Avery came home, the game had ended and Beckett was reading one of his favorite books. “Anybody hungry?” Mom asked.

“I am! Let’s have pizza!” said Beckett.

“You want pizza again?” asked Mom. “We had it just two nights ago.”

“I never get tired of pizza,” Beckett said, and the others agreed.

As they ate, Avery mentioned that she had enjoyed the program at church, but Beckett wasn’t impressed. “I still say it’s the same old thing. I already know all about Noah,” he told her. “Ask me anything.”

“How big was the ark, compared to a football field?” asked Avery. “And how did building it show Noah’s faith in God?”

“Well, I…uh…” Beckett’s voice faded out. He didn’t know the answers.

“You say the story of Noah is the same old thing, but that football game was exciting to you, even though you knew how it ended,” said Dad.

“And you’d probably eat pizza every day if you could,” said Mom.

“And I’ve seen you read that same book over and over,” added Avery.

Beckett frowned. “Why is everybody ganging up on me?”

“We just don’t want you to think of the Bible as being the same old thing, because it isn’t,” Dad said. “There are always new facts and lessons to be learned, even from stories you already know. You may even find the story applies to your life in a way you never realized before. Keep learning all you can about the Bible, and expect to find something new every time.” – Linda Weddle

How About You?

Do you listen for something new each time you hear or read the Bible? No matter how many times you’ve heard a story, there are still more lessons to learn and instructions to obey. Ask God to teach you and give you understanding as you read. Listen with a mind that is open to what He’s saying to you.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Today’s Key Thought:

God’s Word is always new