Is the Bible still relevant today, in 2021? Is it outdated? Is it trustworthy? Do I personally need it? Does it really apply to me?
Have you ever thought or even asked these questions? Most of us have, and that’s okay. When we ask these questions, it gives God an opportunity to answer us and show us who He is and how close He is to us each and every day. God is not taken off guard or afraid to answer any question.
The amazing thing about the Bible is that it answers these questions about Itself for us. God knew we’d have these questions.
Many of us are searching for the Truth. We don’t want to be told or tricked into believing lies.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 KJV. Here we see the Bible is truth. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” Psalms 119:140 KJV. The Bible is pure.
“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89 KJV. The Bible is settled in Heaven forever. Unchanging. Isn’t that what truth is? Unchanged? Things that don’t change with the times, circumstances, or emotions are things that can be trusted. God does not change, therefore His Word does not change either.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 KJV. This is the power of God’s Word. Freedom. You see, the opposite of freedom is bondage. Bondage is being enslaved to something. We become enslaved to lies and end up living in confusion and uncertainty. This is NOT God’s will and desire for us!
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalms 119:9 KJV. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalms 119:11 KJV. God’s Word cleanses our way and helps us stay on the right path. It is the best guidance and direction we could seek. It is from God Himself Who made all of creation, including you and I. No one knows us better than God. He knows our deepest needs and struggles. He knows what is best for us. And out of pure love, God gave us His Word and preserved it through all of time so that you and I could have it today.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” The word “inspiration” means that God literally breathed the words into life. He used men to pen them down, but these were not the words, thoughts, ideas, or motives of the humans God used. They were simply being obedient to God. God is all-powerful. Does He not have the power to preserve His Word from human corruption? Of course He does! Psalm 12:6-7 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” God is in charge of preserving His Word, and if He sought to keep it preserved all these years, I’d say it’s pretty important and He wants us to read it!
Reading it increases our faith. When we read it, we read accounts of people who have lived before us and we see the trials and miracles they lived through and witnessed. This shows us what God can do. We see how God moved in the hearts and lives of others. We read principles God has given for us to live by. This helps us to know God, not to just know more about Him, but to actually know Him personally. In turn, knowing Him deeper lets us trust Him more, increasing our faith in Him.
It helps us grow spiritually. We can learn from the mistakes of others that God recorded for us so we can avoid the same mistakes in our own lives. This is wisdom. God gives us principles and direct commands in His Word. If we heed them, we will find blessing and fellowship with God. Learning to live in obedience to God takes time, but this is a sign of growth and maturity, just as it is when your children learn to trust you and do as you have asked even if they don’t always agree or understand why.
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God has told us where to go when we need wisdom! He is the source and He has promised to answer us if we come to Him. Just as you want your children to come to you when they have questions or need help, God is a loving Father who is offering the same loving treatment to you and I. God’s Word and prayer are how we get God’s wisdom!
God never changes, His Word never changes, He has preserved it for you to have the principles you need to live in this ever changing world. Just trust Him. Use the Guide He has given.
In the book of Proverbs, God speaks very often of the foolish person that will not listen to wise instruction or counsel. That person is only doing things their way, often making things harder for themselves. Your choices do not only affect you, but those around you as well. We cannot afford to be prideful and foolish. There is nothing wrong with looking to God for answers. This world and the devil will convince you otherwise. You will be made fun of, Satan will tell you that you don’t need scripture, you can figure it out on your own.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
God’s Word gives us principles for marriage, parenting, relationships, finances, prayer, how to talk to others, and so much more. Why would we not want to learn from it?
With Hope in His Service
Heather
Proverbs_31Life 