Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
The Book
Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them. ~Isaiah 34:16
A former park ranger at Yellowstone National Park told the story of a ranger leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. Nearing the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn't responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger. Isaiah 34 is a prophecy warning the nations that have oppressed Israel that danger is coming. We live in an age where right is called wrong and wrong is called right. A time where things that were once considered abnormal are now called normal, and normal is considered abnormal. There is only one true authority for our lives: the Bible!
There is the dependability of God’s Word.
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Consider the multiplicity of prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prophecies concerning His birth, place of birth, His suffering, His death, burial, and resurrection. Every one of them was fulfilled! Consider the prophecies in the book of Daniel concerning four great world empires: each of them was fulfilled! Consider in Daniel 9:24-26 the prophecy concerning the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and from there, the prophecy of Christ’s death: the date when he was crucified can be exactly determined. Going forward, prophecies to be fulfilled are on target for fulfillment. None of these shall fail! God’s Word can be trusted: it is truly dependable.
There is the directive of God’s Word.
God said, “Seek ye out the book of the LORD, and read.” We need the Word of the Lord for our direction in life. How can we get to where we need to be without a guide and map? The Ethiopian dignitary asked Philip, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” We need the Word of the Lord for discernment for our life. It is the book of wisdom and counsel. Solomon said, “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.” Good decisions are made with the right wisdom. God’s Word is that source. We need God’s Word for the desires of our life. The more we read God’s Word, the more we want more of Jesus. David said, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
There is the discovery from God’s Word.
It is a sword that pierces our conscience through so that we may know when we have erred from God. It is a hammer that breaks away at the hardened callouses that develop in our heart. It is a fire that burns away the sin that would easily beset us and stirs us up to do God’s work. It is honey to our palate, sweet to the taste and stimulating our appetite for more. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It is the supreme confidence that we need to lead us on the pathway that is life everlasting. It tells us of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, and help in time of need. It reminds us that Jesus is the Rock of Ages, our Anchor for our soul, our Bread of Life, our Living Water, our Great Shepherd, our True Vine, and the only Door by which men can enter Heaven.
God encourages us to “check it out.” Search the book of the Lord, and read! There are many more hidden gems and treasures to be found, but you need to search it out.
Have a studious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 7-9
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