NOTHING IS AS AGELESS AS GOD'S WORD

The oldest trees can’t compare to the agelessness of the Bible. Neither can the books written by those of other religions than Christian. We have an enduring treasure and should treat it as such by consistent, persistent reading of it. Praise God for His Word!

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        by Sally Bair

Ageless

One day I watched a 100-foot tree taken down for safety purposes. Like many old trees, it had become riddled with disease.

I hate to see any trees fall, whether by nature or man, but realize that sometimes they must. Trees are valuable to our environment. They add oxygen, shade, habitat and beauty for both man and animal.  

The Sequoia, redwood and oak trees live many years Before the Great Flood, men used to live even longer than most trees. Methuselah lived 969 years.

But nothing compares to the age and indestructibility of the Bible. As far back as the Old Testament, evil men have tried to destroy the Scriptures. The prophet Jeremiah was instructed by God to write on a scroll all the words God had told him about the sins of Israel. He had to write it twice because the evil king, Jehoiakim, burned it.

Early Christian believers hid copies of the Old Testament books and Paul’s writings. Since then, the Bible has survived severe persecution against Christians throughout the ages.

Even today the Bible is reviled and disallowed in some countries. But it is unique in its survival. Originally written on perishable material, it had to be copied and recopied for hundreds of years before the printing press came into existence. The Jewish people preserved it as no other manuscript before. It has survived burning, banning and outlawing from the days of the Roman Empire to today’s atheistic and humanistic societies. It has survived the most venomous criticism by atheists and skeptics.

The Bible is unique in its survival, its continuity, its teachings and its influence on other literature. It is “living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword…”  (Hebrews 4:12) Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) 

Lord, we in America are blessed to have an array of Bibles at our disposal. Forgive us when we’ve treated your Word as merely something to have on hand in case we need it. Give us the desire to hunger and thirst for it every day so we can live it. In Jesus’ name, amen.