Articles
The Precious Word of God
The Precious Word of God
By Steve Wallace
Words often bring relief or rejoicing. A doctor’s words bring the wonderful news that the patient is going to be alright in spite of a seemingly life-threatening problem. A rescue team calls a father and mother with the news that they have found their lost child safe. Medical science reports that they have discovered a cure for some sickness, bringing joy to many who suffer from it. How precious words can be!
Please read the words of the Psalmist in this light. “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11)
This writer was not alone in his assessment of the word of God. Many have found it to be “more to be desired than gold.” Let us note some examples of this.
God’s Word is Precious to the Lost!
After hearing that Jesus, whom they had crucified, is Lord and Christ, Peter’s audience in Acts 2 “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do” (v. 37)? What good news it was to them when “Peter said unto them, ‘Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (v. 38). We can well understand when it says they “gladly received” the word and were baptized. God’s word was precious to them and they were anxious to comply with it.
As the history of the early church recorded in Acts unfolds we are treated with one example after another of the preciousness of the word of God. After hearing and obeying the word preached by Philip, the Ethiopian Eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Those who responded to the good news of God’s word at Antioch of Pisidia “were filled with joy” (Acts 13:52). Especially precious was the word to the Philippian jailer. One can only imagine his misery as the account of his conversion begins. Paul had to persuade him not to kill himself before he could preach the saving Gospel to him. He believed and responded to God’s word. The account of his conversion closes by saying that he “rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God” (Acts 16:27-34). As we meet lost people from day to day let us remember how precious the Gospel can be to those that will hear and obey it.
God’s Word is Precious in the Life of the Child of God.
This is true in ways that all Christians must recognize if they are to persevere unto eternal salvation. The promises of God contained in the Bible gender and nurture the hope of heaven (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18). One purpose of studying the Old Testament is “that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). All Christians will go through difficult times where the devil tempts them to give up. The word of God is the answer as it builds the Christian up and renews him (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:23-24). God’s people sometimes fall into sin. Again, the God’s word responds to this need as it restores or converts the soul (Ps. 19:7, ASV, KJV). More could be said under this point but what we have said suffices to add emphasis to Paul’s words in 2Tim. 3:16-17 - “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”
God’s Word is Precious as the Christian Thinks About Death.
“Our Saviour Christ Jesus” has “abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). The gospel is unmatched in its explanation of the details of the afterlife. It describes the hadean realm and heaven (Lk. 16:19-26; Jno. 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Rev. 21-22). It gives a detailed explanation of the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:35-54). It gives God’s people a victorious picture of the faithful who have gone before (Rev. 7:9-17; 20:4). One searches the bookstores in vain for books similar to the Bible. Indeed, no book’s words can hold a candle to the “precious and exceeding great promises” contained in God’s word (2 Pet. 1:4).
Conclusion: May we all remember the important truths we have reviewed in this brief article. The word of God is not only important to the lost and erring around us, it is important to every Christian. Let us continue to read it, study it, and hold fast to its teaching! “For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: But the word of the Lord abideth for ever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25).
The Bible and the Coal Basket
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old, worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, “I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough,” and he went out of the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it's useless!”
”So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.
“Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is the work of God’s word in our lives: to change us from the inside out and to transform us into the image of His Son. Take time to read a portion of God's word each day.”
Romans 12:2 - “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Upcoming Sermons
7/14/24 AM - Grandpap’s Bible; PM - Ism’s That Ain’t So, Part One
7/21/24 - “Are Ya Listenin’ to Me?”; PM - Ism’s That Ain’t So, Conclusion
7/28/24 AM - Holy Hatred; PM - Demas: From Success to Failure
8/4/24 AM - “Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do”; PM - Themed Singing Service
8/11/24 AM - When God Changes His Mind; PM - Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees
8/18/24 AM - “Who is This Son of Man?” PM - Climbing the Tower of Babel
8/25/24 AM - Have You Been Transformed or Just Baptized? PM - Boaz the Redeemer
