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Pastor's Piece - Remember the Word

by Dr Barry Wright

 
Remember The Word

 
The word of God has stood the test of time throughout the centuries that man has occupied this sinful world called planet earth.

We are told in Hebrews 4: 12 'For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'

Psalms 12: 6, 7 says that 'The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.'

Isaiah 40: 8 also says that 'The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.'

The Bible, over time, has withstood many challenges to its credibility from a variety of sources. However, during the last 200 years the higher critics of this period have been largely silenced as archaeological finds and discoveries have shed light on the authenticity of the Bible. It all began in 1798 when Napoleon led 38,000 of his troops into Egypt. With him came hundreds of linguists, artists, and scholars to help him better understand the history of that ancient land.

With the subsequent discovery of a black stone, later known as the Rosetta Stone, the mystery of Egyptian picture writing was eventually unlocked revealing secrets that had been hidden for centuries. Modern archaeology was now born and with it came vital information from inscriptions found on palace walls and monuments all along the Nile. With this information scholars have been able to largely verify and confirm the accuracy of Biblical history. 

This discovery along with many others, speaks eloquently of a God who has not left himself without a witness in the world. They continue to powerfully testify that we can have absolute confidence in the integrity of the Scriptures. Further, it is also good to know that in the shifting moral values of the twenty-first century, God's Word can still be trusted.

Shortly before the end of the Second World War, the story is told of a young courageous German Pastor who had resisted the Nazi Regime and was about to be executed. However, before his death a few letters were smuggled out from his prison cell showing a man who was to stand securely and confidently on the Word of God. In these documents he wrote about his enjoyment of the Scriptures and how much it had nourished his spiritual life.

He was able to receive his spiritual strength and courage from his daily reading of the Scriptures that he read from cover to cover. His faith was unshakable resulting from his strong relationship with a God who had revealed Himself through His unchanging word.

Because Dietrich Bonhoeffer read the Psalms every day he would have been familiar with the Psalmist's words in Ps 119: 11 that says 'Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.' This was to be his experience and it can be yours and mine today (Finley, 2003: 13).

May we also say along with the Psalmist in Ps 119: 5 that 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'

God has given us His word to guide us through life's pathways. Its teachings have a vital bearing on our prosperity in all the relations of life. Even in our temporal affairs the Scriptures will continue to be a wiser guide than any other counsellor.

The Bible is the great standard of right and wrong.
It is a chart showing us the waymarks of truth
It is a book that makes us wise unto salvation.
It tells us how to have eternal happiness.
It tells us of God's love through His Plan of Redemption (White, 1988: 130).

Those in need of comfort will always find a never-failing supply in the Word of God. It brings comfort in times of affliction and imparts life in times of despair.

Many a person has discovered that it has the ability to lift the spirit and provide inspiration through the solitary nights. As such, God's living Word will continue to provide strength for all our daily needs in all the varied circumstances of our lives (Finley, 2003: 15).

This thought is further confirmed by the Psalmist in Psalm 119: 49, 50 where he says: 'Remember the word to your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has given me life.'

REMEMBER THE WORD.

REFERENCES

Finley, M.    (2003)   Solid Ground. Washington DC: Review & Herald Publishing Association

White, E. G.    (1988)   Lift Him Up. Warburton, Victoria: Signs Publishing Company

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