Attending the Word

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”—Ps. 119:105.

In our twenty-first-century world something has gone missing. Even in some Christian circles the Bible has been relegated to a museum or to gathering dust on a library shelf. There is little doubt that as the Bible has been set aside, our society has taken a downward turn.

This past Sunday I stood in the pulpit at Harvest Baptist Tabernacle in Jonesboro, Georgia. With a microphone pinned to my chest and the volume turned loud enough everybody could hear, I held my Bible up before them. I told them that the Bible is God’s Word, in­spired of God, therefore inerrant (without error) and consequently infallible. I further stated that since God Himself preserved it for us, it is pure and it is powerful. Since the text is accurate, I declared its authenticity and made the case that it should be treated as author­itative for all of us.

None of us would know the truth of the Gospel and none of us would be saved, but for the Word of God.

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”—II Tim. 3:15.

I cannot overstate how import­ant I believe the Bible is for a Chris­tian, but here are some things I hope you will understand about its significance.

1. You cannot ascertain the will of God without the Word of God.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”—II Pet. 1:19.

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”—Ps. 119:9.

2. You cannot access the wis­dom of God without the Word of God.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”—Ps. 90:12.

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”—II Cor. 1:20.

3. You cannot appreciate the ways of God without the Word of God.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”—II Sam. 22:31.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”—Isa. 8:20.

4. You cannot accomplish the work of God without the Word of God.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do ac­cording to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”—Josh. 1:8.

“For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”—Ps. 33:4.

5. You cannot attend the warnings of God without the Word of God.

“Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law.”—Deut. 31:12.

6. You cannot attain the walk of God without the Word of God.

“If thou put the brethren in re­membrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”—I Tim. 4:6.

“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”—Jer. 6:16.

7. You cannot amass the wealth of God without the Word of God.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”—Matt. 4:4.

“Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”—Ps. 19:11.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”—126:6.

So, dear fellow Christian and co-laborer in the harvest fields of our Lord, let’s take the Word of God to heart. Let’s live by its precepts. Let’s be blessed by its doctrines. Let’s labor by its orders. Let’s stay in the Word daily. Let’s herald it boldly, fervently and fearlessly.

So much depends on our faith­fulness to the task. Let’s keep on keeping on—giving the Lord our best and surrendering afresh every day.