By Chris WittsSaturday 1 Oct 2022Morning Devotions with Chris WittsFaithReading Time: 1 minute
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Transcript:
There was an advertisement that screened on television about a product which kept going, and going, and going. The truth of the matter is that sooner or later the product fails, whatever it might be.
No matter what the brand or the product, it has a limited life-cycle. Sorrow and sadness come to each of us and the pain brings tears. This gives another reason why I love God’s Word.
God’s Word Comforts
I love God’s Word because it comforts the Christian!
No matter how big or small, young or old, there are days when we all need comfort for one reason or another. The comfort that Christians need is not the flabby, sentimental kind, but the practical, down-to-earth comfort found in God’s Word. This comfort is solid. To those approaching the end of their days on this earth there is comfort. Those facing challenges where the demands far outstrip the resources find comfort in God’s Word.
A pastor used to carry a small card containing a Bible verse in his pocket each day. On one occasion the demands upon him were almost more than he could bear. His sense of control and direction were threatened by physical, mental and spiritual fatigue. While waiting at an intersection for the lights to change as he was going to visit a desperately ill person, he pulled the card out of his pocket. To his amazement he found these words on the card: “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Immediately he felt the burden lift. He said: “The world became full of truth, goodness and beauty. My heart became luminous and lyrical and I faced that day and life in the spirit of a conqueror.” What happened? The world did not suddenly change but his view of the world changed because God’s Word brought life and light to the situation.
This man is one of many who could say the same thing because when they have needed comfort or encouragement they have found it in the pages of the Word of God. It is solid, it is practical, it is life-changing. I love God’s Word because it will uphold and support in life, in suffering and in death.
This is the information age. Technology is advancing at a spectacular rate. The development of the Internet has made the sharing of information so simple. A friend goes into hospital for surgery in Singapore, and even though his normal address is somewhere in Malaysia, his friends and relations can be made aware of the situation in a matter of seconds through the magic of an email message. A prayer need on the other side of the world arrives unseen and unheralded. Words have incredible power to uplift or to destroy.
God’s Word Promises Victory
I love God’s Word because it promises victory for God’s people!
Thousands of words bombard our ears and eyes each day. At any hour of day or night there is someone demanding to be heard. Everyone has an opinion whether it is an informed opinion or not, and talk-back radio ensures that we hear them all. The words that really matter are those contained in that volume of 66 books by about 40 authors written over a period of about 1,500 years that we call the Bible.
One day Job’s friend, Eliphaz the Temanite, paid him a remarkable compliment when he said, “Your words have kept men on their feet” (Job 4:4). It is the Word of God that keeps us on our feet and assures us of victory in this continuing battle.
Peter writes about the wonderful promises God has given: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV).
The hymn writer asked the question, Who is on the Lord’s side? It is a question that is asked in other words in a number of places in the Word of God. Sometimes it was a challenge to purity of lifestyle, sometimes it was a challenge to service but always where the Lord was involved victory was assured, not just possible, but certain.
From Bible times to the present age nothing has changed. He requires us to have faith in Him—to trust Him because He knows what He is doing. Yes, I love God’s Word.