There was a man named Joe who took pride in impressing others with his expensive collection of antiques. One day Joe’s neighbor examined a painting that hung on the wall in his hallway and read the inspiring poem that was on it. Joe paused from what he was doing and stood before the painting for a moment before exclaiming, “I’ve walked by this painting for five years and never stopped to read this poem that was in it”. It has been said that ‘what is familiar is underappreciated and sometimes unnoticed’.
We face a similar challenge in our approach to the Bible. It’s possible that we could become so familiar with what it says that we underappreciate or fail to notice the beauty that is within it. It is true that there are some apparent inconsistencies between its pages but this should be credited to man’s account, not God’s. The purpose of the written Word is to lead us to the living Word. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The term ‘word’ is referring to thought or idea. When we share our words with each other we are sharing our thoughts and ideas which are an expression of who we are. John 1:14 then says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Imagine for a moment, the thought/idea of the Great God of creation materializing in the form of humanity and we have Jesus in the flesh.
Following are several incredible facts about the Bible that are sure to remind us of some of its beauty. Taken from AmazingFacts.com publications:
• It was inspired by the God of creation – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” 2 Timothy 3:16
This does not mean that God wrote it but that He inspired or influenced the minds of those who did.
• It prophesies of events to come with impressive accuracy – “I am the Lord… new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:8,9
a. Four world empires to arise: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel chapters 2,7,8)
b. Cyrus to be the warrior to capture Babylon (Isaiah 45:1-3)
c. Egypt would never again have a commanding position among the nations (Ezekiel 29:14, 15; 30:12,13)
d. Earth-shaking calamities and fear toward the tie of the end (Luke 21:25,26)
• It agrees with true science – “The Spirit will guide you into all truth.” Psalm 119:160
a. He hangs the earth on nothing. (Job 26:7)
b. He sits above the circle of the earth. (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible said the earth is round centuries before man found out.
c. “To establish a weight for the wind” (Job 28:25) Long before scientists knew God said the air has weight.
• It teaches proven health principles – “Beloved I pray that you prosper in all things and be in health even as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
Cover the body waste with dirt (Deuteronomy 23:12,13) The Bible provision of Moses’ day that body waste would be buried outside the camp was thousands of years ahead of its time. When human waste is not properly buried, diseases can be quickly spread to untold thousands through the water supply or not washing one’s hands.
The greatest beauty of the Bible is its ability to lead the selfish and fearful heart to become loving and courageous. The Bible was inspired and preserved for our benefit. It not only tells of events that have happened under the sun but it leads us to a clearer knowledge of the God who created the sun. Remember, the purpose of the written Word is to lead us to the living Word.
As we spend time searching the words within its pages lets remember two important promises:
“You will find Me when you search for Me with your entire heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth…” John 16:13
Today is a good day to begin discovering and rediscovering the beauty of the Lord through His inspired Word.