“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
You would think that these words from Jesus and His apostle Paul would be enough to cause Christians to read the Bible regularly throughout their lifetime. There are many other texts that emphasize the importance of feeding on God’s word, and how spiritually profitable it is to do so.
Life is compared to a road which we must all travel until we reach the end. Regardless of what former travelers may have experienced on their journey, and recorded their experiences for those who would follow, we still must find our own way. Left to ourselves, we walk blindly in the dark, for we can’t see where we are or where we are going.
But God made us, and He loves us. The Lord desires to lead us through our pilgrimage here on earth and bring us safely to the eternal home He has prepared for us. Jesus Christ is God’s only road to His everlasting mansions in glory. The only way you can be on this road is for God Himself to place you on it. You can’t buy your way on it, and you can’t work your way on it; you must be in Christ Jesus: He is the Way.
For most folks, there is a distance of a good many years between the time they are placed on the road, and the time they reach the end. During that time, along with many joys and times of happiness, they also face many obstacles, trials, difficulties, temptations, troubles and sorrows. The road of life is the same for all folks; the great difference lies in walking it alone, or having the God of the highway walking with you all the way.
God’s ever-present presence with His children is the guarantee that they’ll make it safely home. His ever fresh supply of mercy and grace is the guarantee that they can face whatever comes their way with confidence and assurance that God will see them through it. At the end of the day they can truly confess from their hearts: Great is His faithfulness!
But how can a child of God know this? Our feelings can rise one day, and bottom out the next. We can know great joy, and then sorrow falls across our path. We can feel like a victorious Christian one day, and the very next day question if we are saved. Our love and concern for others comes and goes. Is this not true of all of us? How can we keep a steady and consistent pace on the road to heaven while battling all these things?
God’s word is the answer. Jesus and Paul’s words tell us this. They are not speaking of an intellectual knowledge of the Bible. They are teaching and directing God’s children to do the one thing that will keep their hearts and minds on solid ground, and keep them in the will of God. And that is, by continuously feeding and feasting on the goodness and love of God in Christ Jesus.
Genesis to Revelation is God’s revelation of Himself and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The Bible is the inspired and infallible word of God. God is the Author Who breathed into men, what He wanted us to know. The Bible was written by God for us to read.
“…Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Do you want a good and prosperous life as you travel down its weary road? Do you want to arrive at heaven’s gate in good shape? Make it your main business to daily feast on God’s word, believe it and live it.
Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net
