Dear friends
The Stability of God’s Word
‘All Scripture is breathed out by God.’ 2 Timothy 3.16
A landmark event like the Queen’s platinum jubilee makes us reflect on how things have changed over the decades in so many ways. Some change has been relatively gradual. Technology has improved over the decades so that we now easily communicate by emails and mobiles, whereas when I was growing up one of our neighbours did not even have a landline! At other times the world changes almost overnight. In March 2020 the Prime Minister spoke those stomach churning words: “You must stay at home.” If we are honest, many of us fear what will change next and how we will adapt.
That’s why we need to remember and celebrate how the Word of God does not change. It is always true, always good, always relevant to our lives. What a comfort that is.
As our culture’s values continue to shift we can rejoice that God’s Word is always true. It shows us right and wrong, good and evil, wisdom and folly. ‘In your light we see light’ (Psalm 36.9). When it comes to the fundamentals we are not left on our own, guessing how God wants us to live. God has revealed himself to us in his Word, the Bible, and it tells us that our Lord Jesus is ‘the way the truth and the life.’ This will always be the case.
God’s Word is also good. God does not tell us what is true in the style of an instruction manual, which is dull and dreary to persevere through. Instead, his Word is so good it can be described as ‘more precious than gold, than much pure gold; sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb’ (Psalm 19.10). Through humorous stories, soul-stirring poems, breath-taking visions and everything in-between, God blesses us abundantly as we read his Word.
God’s Word is relevant – for everybody, every age, every nation. Imagine a believer living on another continent in a distant century in the past. Imagine all the things which are different about you: your language, your work, your clothes, your home, your expectations, the way you see the world. And then consider how extraordinary it is that God wrote a book with the power to speak to both of you. It is a mirror that reflects your heart (James 1.22) and a lamp that guides your way (Psalm 119.105).
This is true for you and I today as well as for the generations of tomorrow. Young and old, rich and poor, male and female – God’s Word is his gift to all of us. Whether you are a child, a teen or an adult; whether a Christian or not yet a Christian; whether you want to deepen your faith or you are just hanging on by your fingertips; let me encourage you to open up the Bible and hear God speak.
Sincerely in Christ
Bill
