Hope through the Scriptures – 23 January 2020
Neville Turley
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
2 kuThimothewu 3
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Textbooks at all places of learning become outdated as more knowledgeable works are published. Theological students are an exception in that there is one essential book for their studies that is never outdated – The Bible.
The Bible is the only book that meets the needs of every generation. Language usage and words may change their meaning but the truth and content of Holy Scripture remains unchanged.
The Bible is more than just a book, it is as Paul described it ‘God-breathed’. It is God’s personal letter to his children – to you and to me.
The Holy Spirit opens our minds to what the Bible reveals. In its pages we find all the knowledge and practical instruction we need as believers. For the Bible explains salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus and equips us to live lives pleasing to God.
That was Paul’s counsel to Timothy and we all need to take it to heart. As Woodrow Wilson, the 28th American President, said, “When you have read the Bible, you will know that it is the Word of God, because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness and your own duty.”
Sadly there are many people who do not yet own a Bible and have no hope of obtaining one without help. Maybe God is calling you to reach out to them!
As part of their bicentenary celebrations in 2020 the Bible Society of South Africa runs the 2 Million Bibles project. By making a contribution to this project you can enable the Bible Society to place Bibles in the hands of those who do not yet own a Bible.
The need is great. There is a perishing world to be saved and there is no better way than through the Bible, which tells of salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for yourHoly Scripture, which is useful in teaching and training us in righteousness and equipping us for every good work. Amen
