Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 4: The Bible: God’s Inspired Word!”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Being prepared starts with learning from a credible source.
What would you trust as a credible source?
When I think about that question the most important is this:
The person giving the information is trustworthy.
So if we are looking to be thoroughly equipped and prepared for life as a Christian, we can find confidence in the credibility of the Bible. Some may challenge this, but consider the question, “Is the source of the information in the Bible trustworthy?”
The Apostle Peter gave this insight: 2 Peter 1:21 “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Some suggest that the Bible is human stories with spiritual truths. Other discount that the Bible is any special book. There is much to be said about this, but simply consider Peter’s point. Scripture’s authors were human, but directed by the Holy Spirit. They were “inspired.” One key evidence of this is that if I were making up a story, I would not do or say things I didn’t want to do or say. Yet consider that what is recorded is men speaking and doing things they would not have spoken or done on their own.
Consider just three examples:
The prophet Jonah…he fled from the message the Lord gave him to speak: The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. (Jonah 1:1-3)
The prophet Isaiah…he was given a message the people would harden against (who would want to make enemies?): [The LORD] said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”
And he answered: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged, 12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken. (6:9-12)
The prophet Ezekiel…told people wouldn’t listen to him (What preacher would preach on his own if no one would listen?): But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. (Ezekiel 3:7)
Do you think these men would have come up with these messages on their own? Do you think they would have faced the ridicule or hardship if they were coming up with a message for the people? These hard messages that the prophet’s spoke to the people were clearly God’s voice, not the voice of men. The voice of men downplayed sin, overlooked idolatry, and declared peace when there was no peace. God’s voice spoke and speaks truth…always.
The Bible we fully believe is the inspired words of the living true God, Father, Son & Holy Spirit. This truth gives us confidence then that what is preserved in the pages of the Bible IS the very words God wants us to know, believe and put into practice. He, through His Word, will equip us for the days of good works ahead!
Tomorrow we will see how!
Apply: What gives you confidence the Bible is the word of God? What causes questions? (Email me your questions at pastorgeiger@gmail.com)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for recording through the pens of men the very words you wanted us to learn, trust and believe. AMEN.