By Pastor J. F. Odesola
In these days more and more people are trying to tell us that the Bible is not trustworthy; that it is only the product of man’s efforts therefore it is full of errors. This is not true! The Bible is utterly reliable in its histories, poetical books, prophecies, and in the teaching epistles of the New Testament.
1. What the Bible Contains
Let us make it clear again that the Bible contains everything that we need for our salvation and for our satisfaction, for living the Christian life and for serving God effectively. In 2 Timothy 3:15-16, we see not only that it is by the word of God that we are made “wise unto salvation”, but that, it “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness.” Do you wonder that David told us that God’s Word contains “great spoil”, great treasure, and great riches? As one of our hymns put it:
“Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
And hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.” – Edwin Hodder
What are the “jewels rich and rare” which are contained in the Bible? I suggest that there are five in particular which ought to be mentioned.
First, the Bible has power to make us humble. We learn this in Psalms 119:161: “My heart standeth in awe of thy word”. God’s word brings us down until we stand in awe and reverence before Him. Moses had this experience of a great humbling at Horeb:
This Bible is the only book which has the power to make us truly humble before the Lord.
Second, the Bible has power to make us honest. We learn this from verse 163: “I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.”
What a glorious thing it is to have the desire implanted in our heart to be transparently honest; to obey the precept in Psalm 34:13-14:
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”;
And to say with the writer in Psalm 101:3-7
The Bible shows us how to be utterly honest, and it gives us the power to be finished altogether with sin in every shape or form.
Third, the Bible has the power to make us to be a worshipper; we learn this from verse 164:
“Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
What a God centered man the Psalmist was, and how full of praise? Surely, when we meditate upon the Lord’s grace and goodness to us, we find ourselves agreeing with the writer of Psalms 92:1-5.
Our lives are often praise-less, but if we really love and read the Bible it will us with praise and adoration.
Fourth, The Bible has the power to make us restful. We learn from Psalms 119:165:
“Great peace have they which love “Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” The word “offend” may be translated “disturb”
How many things there are to disturb us! But a regular reading of God’s word will result in our hearts and minds being filled with peace and quietness. By reading and submitting to the truth of God’s Word, By reading and submission to the Lord Himself, we take Christ’s yoke upon us, we learn of him, and we find rest unto our souls (Matt. 11:29). We shall also enter into the experience of Isaiah 30:15: “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”
Fifth, the Bible has the power to make us confident. We learn this from verse 68: “I have kept Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; for all my ways are before Thee.” One rendering of this verse is: “I have all my life under Thine eyes” This is another way of being able to say, “My times are in Thy hand” (Ps. 31:15).
Thus, we have seen that the Bible has the power to make us humble, honest, worshipful, restful and confident. What treasures there are in God’s Word! What a mine of wealth is stored up there! But if we are to find this treasure for ourselves, something is needed on our part. What is needed?
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