Hanukkah Night 6

There are two readings for this day:

Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 119:130 say: "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

When looking up "simple" in the dictionary, there were 24 definitions and references that were given, but the one that I think would be best was #13...."unlearned, ignorant"....and under "unlearned" this was a definition: "uneducated; untaught; unschooled; ignorant" 

For many of us, this would be a very accurate description of how we are today in reference to the way the world is, our own faith, the Word....etc... My friend Chad Elliott referred me to an article that talks about one part of this tragedy: "How Sunday School Created a Theologically Illiterate Society" http://www.ministrymatters.com/all/article/entry/3429/how-sunday-school-created-a-theologically-illiterate-society?utm_campaign=12-12-12+eNews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=Sunday+School#.UMlUx8Ql3qs.facebook

The only way that we can get out of this trap is to get back into the Word of God. And not just a shallow knowledge of the Word, but a deep understanding of what the Word means, how it should be applied, why it is so important in our lives. In Matthew 4, we read of how Jesus was tempted, but of main importance is how Jesus refuted the temptations that were presented to Him. It was through the Word that Jesus answered the temptations that were put before Him. And if He used the Word to be able to answer the devil, and we are called to follow His example, then should we not then learn the Word and be ready for whatever happens? 

Paul in his second letter to Timothy gave the importance of the Word:

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Maybe if we took time to REALLY understand the Word and not abandon it (as many of us have), we wouldn't have as many problems as we have and get ourselves and this country back to God and His standards.