DAY 6: Draw near to God by reading His Word - 9 February 2015
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
If you wake up tomorrow, discovering that every Bible in the world’s pages are white, how many of God’s promises would you have hidden in your heart?
The church building was packed when preacher Charles Spurgeon walked to the podium to start the Sunday service. Everything went according to the usual plan. When he came to the part of the service, where he would read from the Bible before he starts his sermon, to the congregation’s surprise, he left the Bible untouched on the pulpit with the words: “I was criticized that I quote too much from the Bible and not say enough about Science.” He paused for a moment. “Well, we have a widow in the congregation who recently lost her only son. She wants to know if she’s going to see him again. Let’s look at the Science. Will she see him again? Where is he? Is death the end of everything, or is there something after death?”
Silence descended on the congregation as Charles slowly looked from the one side of the building to the other. “Are there any answers?” The silence stretched, but no one dared to stand up and say anything. After a few minutes, he took the Bible, opened it and said, “Well, now let’s see what God's Word says about it.”
Three facts about the Word of God:
• God is the Word: In John 1:1-2 we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
• The Word is inspired by God: In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it is written: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness . . .”
• The Word is a compass for our lives: In Psalm 119:105 is written, “Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
God’s Word is alive and powerful; inspired by God with the aim of guiding us to our destiny, to instruct us in righteousness and to cultivate the right attitude. The promises of God are our ammunition against the enemy’s attacks. The Bible is also there to help us to get to know God better.
Do you want to know God more intimately? Start reading His Word. And feel free to ask the Holy Spirit to break it open for you. You might be surprised when you discover God’s love for you and His desire to be involved in your life. God bless.
Father God, thank You for Your Word. Please lead me by your Holy Spirit to get to know You in a fresh new way when I pick up the Word and read it. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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