The Immeasurable Worth Of God's Word Series

THE IMMEASURABLE WORTH OF GOD’S WORD

II Timothy 3:15-17

When I was a child our family took a vacation to Nashville. While there we visited the now defunct Opryland Theme Park. Theme parks have never been very appealing to me. I am afraid of heights therefore I detest rollercoasters. However, Opryland had a unique “indoor illusion” roller coaster” that was called “Chaos”. Against my will, our family got in line for and climbed a massive flight of stairs and eventually took our seats in the ride. Chaos was basically a downward spiral but there were lights, lasers and videos screens that gave the illusion that you were flying through space and time. Though I was apprehensive and even terrified at first, when it was over I wanted to ride it again.

I have found that attempting to read through the entire Bible can produce similar emotions. One may be a bit apprehensive when they determine to read every page of God’s Word. It is not one long book, but 66 individual books; some are short and others are very, very long. When reading the Bible we are confronted with language barriers, cultural differences, names that are difficult to pronounce, and geographic locations that are hard to comprehend. We must determine whether a passage is historical, prophetic, wisdom literature, etc. There are literal commands, instructions and warnings, as well as metaphors, allegories and parables. Some scripture chronicle what has happened in the past, while others point to what is to come in the future.

There are certain elements of God’s Word that are so deep that we will never understand it this side of Heaven, at the same time the truths contained within God’s Word are simple enough that a young child can understand who God is and how much He loves them. St. Gregory the Great is quoted as saying, “Scripture is like a river again, broad and deep, shallow enough here for the lamb to go wading, but deep enough there for the elephant to swim”.

Last night I completed by yearly “read through” of the Bible. As I approached Revelation I became very excited to complete such a monumental task. Then when I finished, there was a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. However, there was also a great sense of excitement and anticipation because I knew that today I could go back to Genesis and start all over again.

In my study there is an embarrassing stack of books that I began to read and never finished. Far too often I will excitedly purchase a new book, read 3 or 4 chapters and never pick it up again. There have been other times when I have completed a book and either given it away or donated it to the church library (yes, we have one). There have been a few books that I have read more than once, and there are a couple of books that have been so impactful on my life that I read them at least once a year.

There are many fantastic books at our disposal, but nothing compares to the living, inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible”. The Apostle Paul said, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)

I cannot stress enough how important it is for God's people to read the Bible. God does not speak to us with an audible voice; He speaks to us through His Holy Word. As Justin Peters said, "If you want to hear from God, read your Bible. If you want to hear Him audibly, read it out loud."

Many of God’s people claim they want to hear from Him, they profess that they want to know His will, but they apparently don’t want these things enough to make Bible study a priority in their lives.

Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli said the following about Americans and the Bible: “Americans revere the Bible–but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, we have become a nation of biblical illiterates”. According to data from the Barna Research Group, 60 percent of Americans can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. George Barna said “No wonder people break the Ten Commandments all the time. They don’t know what they are” (https://albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4/)

For us to truly know God, to live for Him and to worship & serve Him properly we must spend ample time in His Word. Paul instructed Timothy to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). If you will heed this instruction and immerse yourself in the Word of God, it will change your life.