THE LIVING WORD

These rocks came into existence when God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fashioned the world. We are blessed in being able to learn about His creation and salvation through the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment and through His written Word. May we never take advantage of such a blessing.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Book of Books

After hundreds of years, the Bible is still the best-selling book in the world, having survived banning, burning, and booing. That’s miraculous. Dwight L. Moody, the famous Chicago preacher, wrote these words on the flyleaf of his Bible:

“This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of life, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers. Read it to be wise. Believe it to be safe. Practice it to be holy. It gives light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the soldier’s sword, the Christian’s chart. Here Paradise is restored: heaven is opened and the gates of hell described. Christ is its theme, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

“It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given us in life, will be open in judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with it. The Bible sets forth two things—the cross and the throne.

“The Old Testament points toward the cross. The Gospel tells the story of the cross. The Epistles point toward the throne. The Revelation tells the story of the throne.

“The Old Testament tells us what sin leads to and ends with the words: ‘Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.’ (Malachi 4:6)

“The New Testament shows the way out of sin and ends thus: ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.’” (Revelation 22:31)

In sales, the Bible has beat out the Koran, A Tale of Two Cities, and The Da Vinci Code. Even the Harry Potter books can’t compete. Nor can Mao’s Little Red Book, second in sales of between eight- and nine-hundred million copies. By comparison, between 2.5 and 6 billion copies of the Bible have been sold.

The Bible is popular because its words are God-breathed. “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Jesus is called the Word of God.

Lord, thank You for Your Living Word that sustains, encourages, and teaches us. Let us never take it for granted or fail to avail ourselves of its power. In Jesus’ name, amen.