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-51-
God Hath Spoken
The Attributes of Scripture
Its Timelessness
Look at I Peter chapter 1, verses 24 and 25. The Word of God is profitable unto men because it is timeless. "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." The Word of God is timeless. Again, I draw your attention to the songwriter. The Bible stands though the hills may tumble, It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble; I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, For the Bible stands.
It's Pricelessness
There are 176 verses in Psalm 119, yet only four of these verses do not make some reference to the Scriptures. Look at verse 72. "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." How many people are able to make such a confession? "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." How many among us would rather have gold and silver than they would the knowledge of the Scriptures!
It Gives Understanding
The Word of God is priceless because it is timeless. But in what sense is it priceless? Look at Psalm 119, verse 130. "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." The Word of God is profitable to men because it gives wisdom and understanding, and the ability to understand is more valuable than thousands of gold and silver.
It Blesses
Look at Joshua chapter 1, verse 8. Joshua turned to the children of Israel and said "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." The people of God were to remember it. They were to talk about it. The Scriptures were to become second nature to them because blessing comes in obedience to the will of God.
It Imparts Happiness
In John chapter 15, note verse 11. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." The Word of God is profitable to men because it offers men joy. Our Lord said He has written these things unto us that our happiness, our joy, might be full.
What is it that thrills our soul? Is it the Word of God? Are the Scriptures the source of our delight? Is our happiness anchored in "Thus saith the Lord"? I once went to visit a woman who said she had made a profession of faith in another church, but that she did not know if she was truly converted. I told her the test of true faith is whether she had "holy affections:" did she love the things of God? Did she love to pray? Did she love to be with the people of God? Did she love the Book of God? This is a good sign. Reader, how about you? Do you have what Jonathan Edwards referred to as "Religious Affections?"
It Establishes Peace
Turn to Psalm 119, verse 165. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Nothing in Scripture can offend them who love the law of God, yet, without a doubt, we all know people who have said they would have nothing to do with the church or with godliness because a preacher ran off with the organist, or some other such nonsense. The truth is that such a person does not love the Word of God. He has never known the Son of God, or experienced true religion.
If there is anyone or anything that can make a person stop reading the Word of God, or stop praying, or gathering to worship with people who desire to obey our Lord, then the Word of God is certainly not hid in his heart. His affections are not fixed upon what is eternal. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." "Nothing," "no thing" will be able to drive them from the Book of God.