Draw near to God – Day 6
Draw near to God by reading His Word (Part 1)
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
NgokukaJohane 1
UbuNkulunkulu nobuntu nomsebenzi kaJesu Kristu
2 kuThimothewu 3
Ihubo 119
If you wake up tomorrow morning, and realise that all of the pages of every Bible in the world are blank, how would you react? How many of God’s promises have you kept in your heart?
The church building was packed when the preacher, Charles Spurgeon, walked to the podium to start the Sunday service. Everything went according to the usual routine. However, to the congregation’s surprise, he did not do the Bible reading before starting his sermon. He left the Bible untouched on the pulpit with the words: “I was criticised that I quote too much from the Bible and do not say enough about science.” He paused for a moment. “Well, we have a widow in the congregation who recently lost her only son. She wants to know if she’s going to see him again. Let’s look at the science of it. Will she see him again? Where is he? Is death the end of everything, or is there something after death?”
Silence descended on the congregation as Spurgeon slowly looked from one side of the building to the other. “Are there any answers?” The silence grew deeper, but no one dared to stand up and say anything. After a few minutes, he took the Bible, opened it and said: “Well, now let’s see what God’s Word says about it.”
Three facts about the Word of God:
• God is the Word: In John 1:1-2 we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
• The Word is inspired by God: In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it is written: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness …”
• The Word is a compass for our lives: In Psalm 119:105 it is written: “Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
God’s Word is alive and powerful, inspired by God with the aim of guiding us to our destiny, to instruct us in righteousness and to cultivate the right attitude. The promises of God are our ammunition against the enemy’s attacks. The Bible is also there to help us get to know God better.
Do you want to know God more intimately? Start reading His Word and feel free to ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it. You might be surprised when you discover God’s love for you and His desire to be involved in your life. God bless.
