This week’s devotions are based on the Week 6 “Explore God” – Is the Bible Reliable? (WATCH HERE)
Is it reliable?
We often ask this question when purchasing a product that is not consumable. Recently we had to replace our washer and dryer. In reading reviews, we looked for comments on certain models that indicate that the machine would last for awhile. In that list of reviews, sometimes the company itself has reviews about the product. Internal reviews are good…however, what validates the claims of a company is the experience of people who have used the product OUTSIDE the company.
When one asks the question about the reliability of the BIble, a simple answer can be, “It’s God’s Word and that’s enough to make it reliable.” No argument with that. However, it may not be satisfactory to the non-Christian who is honestly questioning whether they can believe the Bible and rely on it.
So what might help and also build your confidence and credibility in professing the reliability of the BIble.
Sometimes there are “fly-over” verses that we maybe don’t pay much attention to, but God’s Spirit has preserved them because they are important. A number of these verses provide the intersect of the events of the Bible with secular rulers and history. These intersections provide reference points with secular historians that validate that historical credibility and reliability of the Bible. Here are just a few examples:
Ezra 6:3 In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide,…
Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
John 3:1-2 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert
Sometimes in the small details of Scripture come gems that give hope and comfort to believers. These are not just made up people included at the whim of a fictional author, they are real historical figures used by God to carry out his plan of salvation. These connections with other rulers, countries, and historical events remind us that God was not just interested in his chosen people, but is one that orchestrates the events of the world for the benefit of his people. This didn’t stop once the revelation of the BIble was finished, but rather we can find peace and confidence to know that the Lord is still intersecting and orchestrating the events of the world to his glory and the benefit of his church.
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Apply: What comfort does the fact that God intersects and rules over all rulers and nations bring to you as one of his children?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for ruling over all nations and rulers to bring to reality your church, your blessing and your guidance for us as your people. AMEN.