Weekly Devotion July 22 2024

This Devotion was written by Sportsmen Devotional and posted with permission

Bible Study Verse; Deuteronomy 17:18-20 -- 18 

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. (NIV©) 

Thoughts: My home State of Arizona has four booklets that are published annually that contain hunting and fishing statutes, regulations, bag limits, season dates, and hunt application information for the various big game species that the Arizona Game & Fish Department is responsible for managing. There are supplemental brochures that have additional regulations for migratory birds, reptiles, small game, non-game species, and fishing regulations. What astounds me is the number of hunters and fishermen that seemingly never read these documents. Many depend on what other sportsmen tell them. Sadly, these other sportsmen are often wrong because they simply don’t read and become familiar with the regulations either. This can lead to expensive fines and the loss of hunting and fishing privileges. 

Action Point: Today’s scripture is written specifically to the soon to be appointed King of Israel. Note that the King was to read these laws daily. Not once or every now and then but daily! By reading them daily he would always be familiar with the words of God. Sadly, one of the issues I see today in the Christian community is a lack of Biblical knowledge. The problem? Many Christians seldom, if ever, read the Bible. One Bible teacher I follow has dubbed this condition as Biblical illiteracy, and she is right. Here’s the deal readers. The Bible is right there in front of us. Whether it is in print or electronic form, it is there. And, it only takes a few minutes per day to read a chapter or two. You want to know how your firearm or fishing tackle works? You read the operator’s manual. You want to learn about Jesus, the Father, and living the Christian life? Read the Bible, the Christian’s operator’s manual!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day: Read and reread the regulations where you are hunting and fishing. Rules change. Limits change. It is your responsibility to know the regulations where you hunt and fish.