THE PRECIOUS WORD OF GOD
Words often bring relief or rejoicing. A doctor’s words bring the wonderful news that the patient is going to be alright in spite of a seemingly life-threatening problem. A rescue team calls a father and mother with the news that they have found their lost child safe. Medical science reports that they have discovered a cure for some sickness, bringing joy to many who suffer from it. How precious words can be!
Please read the words of the Psalmist in this light. “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring forever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11)
This writer was not alone in his assessment of the word of God. Many have found it to be “more to be desired than gold.” Let us note some examples of this.
God’s Word is Precious to the Lost! After hearing that Jesus, whom they had crucified, is Lord and Christ, Peter’s audience in Acts 2 “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do” (v. 37)? What good news it was to them when “Peter said unto them, ‘Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (v. 38). We can well understand when it says they “gladly received” the word and were baptized. God’s word was precious to them and they were anxious to comply with it.
As the history of the early church recorded in Acts unfolds we are treated with one example after another of the preciousness of the word of God. After hearing and obeying the word preached by Philip, the Ethiopian Eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). Those who responded to the good news of God’s word at Antioch of Pisidia “were filled with joy” (Acts 13:52). Especially precious was the word to the Philippian jailer. One can only imagine his misery as the account of his conversion begins. Paul had to persuade him not to kill himself before he could preach the saving Gospel to him. He believed and responded to God’s word. The account of his conversion closes by saying that he “rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God” (Acts 16:27-34). As we meet lost people from day to day let us remember how precious the Gospel can be to those that will hear and obey it.
God’s Word is Precious in the Life of the Child of God. This is true in ways that all Christians must recognize if they are to persevere unto eternal salvation. The promises of God contained in the Bible gender and nurture the hope of heaven (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18). One purpose of studying the Old Testament is “that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). All Christians will go through difficult times where the devil tempts them to give up. The word of God is the answer as it builds the Christian up and renews him (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:23-24). God’s people sometimes fall into sin. God’s word responds to this need as it restores or converts the soul (Ps. 19:7, ASV, KJV). More could be said under this point but what we have said suffices to add emphasis to Paul’s words in 2Tim. 3:16-17 – “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”
God’s Word is Precious as Christians Think About Death. “Our Savior Christ Jesus” has “abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). The gospel is unmatched in its explanation of the details of the afterlife. It describes the hadean realm and heaven (Lk. 16:19-26; Jno. 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; Rev. 21-22). It gives a detailed explanation of the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:35-54). It gives God’s people a victorious picture of the faithful who have gone before (Rev. 7:9-17; 20:4). One searches the bookstores in vain for books similar to the Bible. Indeed, no book’s words can hold a candle to the “precious and exceeding great promises” contained in God’s word (2 Pet. 1:4). Conclusion: May we all remember the important truths we have reviewed in this brief article. The word of God is not only important to the lost and erring around us, it is important to every Christian. Let us continue to read it, study it, and hold fast to its teaching! “For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth: But the word of the Lord abideth forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25).15:4). All Christians will go through difficult times where the devil tempts them to give up. The word of God is the answer as it builds the Christian up and renews him (Acts 20:32; Eph. 4:23-24). God’s people sometimes fall into sin. Again, God’s word responds to this need as it restores or converts the soul (Ps. 19:7, ASV, KJV). More could be said under this point but what we have said suffices to add emphasis to Paul’s words in 2Tim. 3:16-17 – “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”