There is one world source for true illumination about right versus wrong, about good versus evil, about light versus darkness: Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Do you ever stop and think about a world without Bible scripture? As we approach this July 4, what standard would have been the foundation of law for America in 1776? Where would the motivation be to form a more perfect union? How would the inalienable rights be perceived as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Was equality for all men created by a man’s mind or was it revealed by a power greater than man?
The Psalmist writes in 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” No other book can compete with Bible scripture. The Creator of man, the earth and everything in it, has issued a perfectly written document that can be completely trusted as correct in totality with every instruction meeting every need.
Again the Psalmist declares in 33:4, “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” Total confidence can be placed in Bible scripture. The truth is on every page and the difference between right and wrong is always made clear. Evil may be called good and good may be called evil but only from a heart and mind void of the word of the Lord.
Psalm 33:6 reads, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” The word of Bible scripture contains such power that this same word made the heavens, the stars, the planets, the universe and beyond. This same power of the word is available to mankind.
The Creator has entrusted the creature with his power because of his amazing grace. Psalm 119:89 reads, “Your word, Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” Never will the word of Bible scripture disappear. The word from the Alpha and the Omega declares His word will never be extinguished. We pass away one by one, the heaven and earth we know will pass away, but the word of God will endure forever.
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God — and so it was with God in the beginning….and the Word was made flesh and came and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1).
Ancient words have produced the Word into flesh and man in his darkness has now been provided a Lamp and a Light to illuminate every step – if only he will access the Word — Christ — through the ancient words with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength.
“Holy words long preserved, for our walk in this world, they resound with God’s own heart, O let the ancient words impart.”
(Scott Johnson is pastor at East Faulkner Church of Christ and author of the BRG Bible.)