THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD

Pastor Dave shared a powerful message with us this past weekend dealing with a question that always seems to be present.  It has to do with whether or not the Bible is God’s inspired Word.  Is it reliable?  Is it factual?  Can it be trusted?  Was it compiled simply for the convenience of the church as some carefully orchestrated propaganda?  What do we do with the Book that a dramatic and ongoing movement in history says is the Word of God?

           

How one responds to the Bible seems to be a matter of either faith or skepticism.  Doesn’t seem to be much middle ground about this book.  People either love it or hate it.  More specifically, people seem either to live by it or to ignore it. 

One ancient spokesman chose to believe the Word of God, and to live by it.  He spoke so clearly about it that his words have become foundational words to people who believe in God and, also, that God is working in the world.  He said to God, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  (Psalm 119:105). 

Pastor Dave got us to thinking about what lamps and lights we have tried in our lives.  What is my LAMP?  What is my LIGHT?  Something is lighting the way for us in our world.  From what source do we get our wisdom?  What lamp have we chosen to light the path in front of us?  What light do we allow to shine in front of us that becomes a light to illuminate the path on which our feet walk? 

How might you complete the following sentence?  “__________ is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.”  In other words, “__________ is the foundation upon which I am building my life.”  None of us can see even sixty seconds into the future.  Based on this sobering reality what will we allow to be the lamp and light we trust in our journey through life?

In Jesus’ story of the prodigal son we see the journey of a young man who felt that the lamp and light, which lit his way, were insufficient for him.  He asked his father for what belonged to him, and off he went to seek a lamp and light that would better fulfill his needs and wants.  When the money ran out the new lamp and light faded, and the young man finds himself in desperate straits.  He enters into a deeply troubled time.  After struggling and suffering for a time Jesus said the young man “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17).  He came to see, through the school of hard knocks, that not all truth is equal, not all truth is all it announces itself to be.

The young man returns home in hopes that he might find an answer to his dilemma.  Upon arrival he discovers something he didn’t expect.  He sees his father so excited to see him that he throws a banquet for him.  This father is so thrilled that his son is home he celebrates and rejoices.  The young man discovers that his father loves him so much he is invited back into the family fold.  He is a son, after all, a son who is loved, accepted, and forgiven.

In his prodigal life the son chose poorly.  He walked away from the blessings, safety, and energy of home and sought another path.  He followed other lamps and lights, and they led his path to a pigpen and a sense of utter separation and disconnection. When he “came to his senses” the young man saw a truth that is eternal and not temporal and relative.  He saw love in action.  As listeners to Jesus’ story we see a love affair between God and His people. 

We’re back to the question of what we will allow to be the lamp and light that shine on our path.  Like the prodigal we’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We’ve all followed our own way, pursued our own quest, and lived separated from the Father.  Now we have a choice, a choice to live in tune with the Father or in discord with the Father.  As Pastor Dave suggested we can be king of our own dysfunction if we want to.  There are pigpens all around us that would love for us to dwell in them.  Or, we can come home to the Father who loves us with an everlasting love (See Jeremiah 31:3). 

Jesus is calling us home to the Father.  His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path that doesn’t lead us to pigpens but to love, safety, life, energy, wholeness, renewal, transformation – HOME.

Once upon a time there was this father who lived in outrageous love, and His Word was so truthful and powerful and transformative that it offered itself as a true foundation upon which people could build their lives. 

Did you ever read something and think, “Man, I wish I had said that”?  Years ago I ran across a paragraph that had me saying to myself, “Man, I wish I had said that.”  On top of that we don’t know who said it; so I don’t know whom to credit. This being said here is that paragraph about the Bible.  As you read it please remember the words of the psalmist, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

"This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

Forward Still,

Rick