Last week I began a two part series on nine benefits of the word of God. I have already explained the first give benefits:
1. The word of God is pure.
2. The word of God is pertinent.
3. The word of God is powerful.
4. The word of God is profitable.
5. The word of God is prosperous.
Let me now present the remaining four benefits of the word of God.
6. The word of God is precious
The Bible is not simply a book. It is the most precious, most costly and most beneficial book in the world. How many men and women have died over the centuries because they viewed the Word as precious beyond measure?
Textual Proof:
Psalm 19:9-10 – ‘more to be desired than fine gold….fine gold.’
Psalm 119:72 – ‘gold and silver.’
Psalm 119:127 – ‘above gold…fine gold.’
Information about gold:
Gold is a mineral and an element. It is the most precious of the precious metals. It forms within the earth’s crust and at the earth’s surface. For centuries the word ‘gold’ has meant beauty and value. Its colour and brightness make it a universal symbol of wealth. Pure gold never loses its shine and is virtually indestructible. Many millions of people have spent their lives in search of gold.
Questions to ponder:
Do I value the Bible more than my wedding band?
Does the Bible shine with unmistakeable beauty or is it as dull as another book?
What would you trade for the Bible?
7. The word of God protects
In our day there is security and protection available for everything; internet, finance, house, vehicle and much more. Many Christians fail to see the protection that is available and provided by the Word of God.
Textual Proof:
Psalm 119:11 – ‘…that I might not sin against Thee.’
Psalm 37:31 – ‘…none of his steps shall slide.’
Psalm 119:114 – ‘…I hope in Thy Word.’
D.L. Moody once commented ‘This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.’
Questions to Ponder:
Do I wrestle with sin? Do I meditate and memorise the Word of God in order to conquer the lusts of the flesh?
Do I dwell daily, moment by moment in the Word and enjoy the safety and protection it bring?
8. The word of God prevails
Since the Garden of Eden, the Devil has unceasingly attempted to thwart, distort and bring to naught the precious Words of God. The Devil has employed many techniques to accomplish this task but has never been successful because God has promised that He will preserve His Word!
The Anvil of God’s Word
Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,
“The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages sceptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed–the hammers gone.–John Clifford
Broken hammers! Those two words sum up the entire history of men’s attacks on the Word of God. The anvil of God’s Word has for centuries suffered countless hammer blows from its enemies, yet it bears not a dent or scratch from all their spite! I see inscribed upon the broken hammers the names of those who wielded them! I see Sennacharib’s name. Jehoiakim’s name is there (Jer. 36). Diocletian, Voltaire, Paine, Hegel, Hume, Griesbach, Semler, Lachman, Strauss, Baur, Ingersoll, Fosdick, and a thousand others have wielded their infidel arguments against the Word of God, and yet it endures. The floor of history is littered with the broken hammers of critics, but the anvil is unharmed!
Textual Proof:
Psalm 119:160 – ‘…endureth forever.’
1 Peter 1:25 – ‘…endureth forever.’
Acts 19:20 – ‘…the Word of God prevailed.’
Psalm 119:89 – ‘Forever, O Lord Thy Word is settled in heaven.’
Matthew 24:35 – ‘…my words shall not pass away.’
Questions to Ponder:
Do I believe in the prevailing, preserved Word of God?
What do I do when sceptics attack God’s Word?
9. The word of God is about a person
By far the greatest and most exciting characteristic of the Scriptures is the person to who it points. The Lord Jesus Christ is seen on every page, in every line, in every book.
Textual Proof:
John 20:31 – ‘But these are written….ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ….’
Luke 24:44 – ‘These are the words…..written…..concerning me.’
John 5:29 – ‘which testify of Me.’
Matthew 1:21 – ‘thou shalt call His name Jesus: For he shall save His people from their sin.’
Questions to Ponder:
Do I know Jesus, personally, intimately?
If Jesus is the central theme and the apex of knowledge in Scripture, how much do I know of Him?
The Bible Stands
The Bible stands like a mountain towering far above the works of men.
Its pages burn with the truth eternal and they glow with a light sublime.
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble, it will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble,
I will plant my feet on it firm foundation for the Bible stands.
Praise the Lord for the Bible and all its benefits!
About Daniel Kriss
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Hitchens…
Thanks. A timely encouragement for me. The sceptics will continue to rise and fall like so many dominoes, but God’s word marches forward unscathed!