What is it about the Bible? How is it different from any other book? Why have so many tried to destroy it and why is it so vilified today? And for us personally, why does it have the ability to both pierce and warm our hearts in a way nothing else can?
But we don’t just have a unique book, we have the unique privilege of coming into the throne room of God. What can we hope to find when we come into that throne room? Should we expect judgment and begrudging answers? Or can we expect something quite different?
Today’s Readings:
Ezekiel 7 & 8
Psalm 120.1-7
Proverbs 28.15
Hebrews 4.1-16
The Bible: No Ordinary Book
Hebrews 4.1-16:
The Bible: Why It’s No Ordinary Book
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (v. 12).
The Bible is no ordinary book; it is the living Word of God. 2 Timothy 3.16 says it was inspired by God. The word translated inspired means God-breathed. Because it is God’s Word, the Bible has the power to speak to our hearts in a way human words do not.
That’s important to remember when we encourage and counsel others, even when teaching and training our children. We should endeavor to explain things using the Bible’s words whenever possible. It’s His Word that doesn’t return void (Is. 55.11) and His Word that has the power to change lives (Rom. 1.16).
God’s Word provides us with everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1.3-4). In other words, it gives us all the wisdom and information we need to live upright before God and with others.
Psalm 119 tells us it helps to keep us from sinning (v. 11), stands firm in heaven (v. 89 NLT), makes us wiser than our enemies (v. 98), and lights our path (v. 105).
And Psalm 19 says it’s perfect, has the power to convert one’s soul, is sure and right, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, and enlightens our understanding (vv. 7-8). It goes on to say it’s more valuable than fine gold and sweeter than honey. It warns us of spiritual danger and there is great reward in obeying it (vv. 10-11).
The Bible is no ordinary book!
Why Is the Bible So Vilified?
If the Bible has the ability to guide and direct our lives, give us wisdom, and change hearts, why is it so vilified?
Because it not only has the power to do so, it has the authority to do so!
Sin causes us to want to be free from authority, especially God’s. We believe the lie that we can be our own gods (Gen. 3.4). But He alone is God. He is our Creator and King. It’s His world.
And one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2).
The Word of God also convicts. It shines the light of truth into the dark recesses of our souls. And darkness hates the light.
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed (Jn. 3.19-20).
Not only is the Bible no ordinary book, but our King is no ordinary King and His throne room is no ordinary throne room.
No Ordinary Throne Room
Yet, as believers, we don’t need to fear our loving King because He is also our Father, our Savior, our Friend, and our great High Priest:
Hebrews 4.15-16:
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I talked about this passage a couple of days ago in “When It’s Hard to Pray” but we’ll talk a little more about it today.
Notice that while a throne speaks of authority, this is a throne of grace. I like what Matthew Henry says about these verses:
‘In all our approaches to this throne of grace for mercy, we should come with a humble freedom and boldness, with a liberty of spirit and a liberty of speech we should ask in faith, nothing doubting we should come with a Spirit of adoption, as children to a reconciled God and Father. We are indeed to come with reverence and godly fear, but not with terror and amazement not as if we were dragged before the tribunal of justice, but kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns, and loves to exert and exalt itself towards us,’ Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible, Heb. 4.
Of course, we come, not based on our own goodness, but because of our High Priest and Mediator, our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ.
What Can We Expect to Find There?
And what can we expect to find there? “… grace to help in time of need.” If we will but go to that throne of grace, He will give us all the grace we need for any situation.
And when do we receive it? “in time of need.” This is not tomorrow’s grace, but today’s grace, for today’s problems, in whatever measure we need, so we can handle them without sinning (1 Cor. 10.13; Matt. 6.34).
So why not come? Because it’s no ordinary throne room. It’s a throne room filled with God’s grace!
Today’s Other Readings:
Ezekiel 7 & 8:
The Time of God’s Judgment
Even though God had blessed the nation of Israel and had shown them His mercy over and over, they had continued to go their own way. Now it was time for God’s judgment.
Not only were the people living ungodly lives and refusing to acknowledge Him as the One True God, but they were actively worshiping false gods of every sort. Even their spiritual leaders were involved in a secret society that worshiped demons (Ezek 8:7-12)!
Yet, even in judgment, God’s purpose was loving and good:
… then they shall know that I am the Lord! (7.27b).
That statement was repeated over 60 times in this book, but the people had so hardened their hearts that only pain and suffering could reach them. Psalm 32:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him (Ps. 32.8-10).
What about us? Does God have to treat us like dumb animals before we listen and obey? Let’s pray that our hearts would be soft and teachable.
Psalm 120.1-7:
Run to Him
In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me (v. 1).
So often when we’re in trouble we try everything we can think of before we turn to Him. Let’s run to Him first. He is faithful and trustworthy!
Proverbs 28.15:
Ungodly Leadership
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
A ruler who takes advantage of the weakest under his rule is compared to a wild beast who devours whatever he desires. This doesn’t just apply to national leaders, it’s for all of us in various kinds of leadership and at all levels. Leadership is a responsibility as much as a privilege and we should be good stewards of it.
Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites (Eph. 6.9).
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll discuss the question, “Does Salvation + Time + Knowledge = Spiritual Maturity?” We’ll also talk about whether we can be addicted to religion or if we could be worshiping idols. And we’ll discuss what it means to be children of light, generational sin, and something that is a slippery spiritual path.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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