God’s Book

Tom Barnard

 

“Search the book of the Lord, and see what he will do.

He will not miss a single detail…His Spirit will make it all come true.”

(Isaiah 34:16, 17 NLT)

 

“It is not folded hands and bowed head that make a prayer;

it is the eager heart and the surrendered will.”

(Author Unknown)

 

I can still remember the first time I saw the classic motion picture, “Martin Luther.” It was in the fall of 1953. I was stationed at Laredo Air Force Base, in Texas. A friend operated the base theater. He invited me to join him in the projection booth during the showing of the film. I returned to see it several times that week. Though produced in black and white, the film was powerful. My heart was stirred as I heard the words of Luther in defense of his faith at the Diet of Worms, in April 1521:

 

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason…my conscience is captive

 to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against

 conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”

 

The centrality of the written Word of God has been the keystone of basically all Christian teaching. Jesus set the tone when he denounced the Jews for “making the Word of God to none effect through their traditions” (Mark 7:9). The Apostle Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives” (2 Timothy 3:16). Saint Augustine stated in 430 AD, “…owing unhesitating assent to nothing but the canonical Scriptures.” John Wesley was known to have had an extensive library but held to the importance of one book: “I want to know one thing, the way to heaven…God Himself has condescended to teach me the way… He has written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri (a man of one book).”

 

Lord, my prayer today is that you will draw me to your Word. As I open the pages, guide my search to the right book, the right chapter, the right words to give direction for my life. You know what lies ahead for me, so guide me to the Scriptures I need today. Through your Spirit, point me to passages in Book that I need as I face the daily challenges that come my way. Lift my eyes so that I can see you clearly. Allow me to love you more dearly. Strengthen my resolve to give “unhesitating assent to nothing but the…Scriptures.” In your strong Name I pray. Amen.