The Bible - Words of Life

The Psalmist declared, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). We can repeatedly see the followers of God return time and again to His word for guidance, comfort, direction, and peace. The word of God was the place they turned in times of trial, distress, heart-break, and celebration. The word of God literally became their source for all that they needed spiritually and emotionally.

How desperately do we approach the Bible? Do we turn to it for guidance, truth, and direction? This was the habit of both the Old Testament people of God as well as the New Testament followers. In Acts 17, Paul and Silas are led to Berea to share the hope that is in the gospel (Acts 17:10). We are told of the Bereans, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Stated clearly, as the Bereans heard the message of the gospel, they turned to the scriptures to see if these things were true or not. They did not depend upon their traditions or the beliefs of their ancestors. They simply allowed the Scriptures to speak.

As we live our lives, we must follow the example of the Bereans. We must not make our decisions on the basis of our personal desires, long held beliefs, or assumed truth. We must turn to the pages of the Bible and allow it to speak. When we are down or discouraged, we must turn to the Bible for hope and encouragement. When we face a decision, look to the word of God for guidance. When dealing with a difficult circumstance, allow the Bible to define the principles by which you will seek to resolve the situation. As we allow the word of God to inform our lives, we will discover that nothing compares to its ability to speak life.