It Is Written
Ponder: God committed His word to writing.
Scripture: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NASB).
My family has several old photos of ancestors who lived well over 100 years ago. In a few cases, however, we have no idea who is in that old picture. How frustrating! Just a name would be helpful. Better yet, why didn’t someone back then jot down a word or two about the person? Memories fade. Oral tradition becomes lost or corrupted. Written records best preserve the facts for future generations.
In His infinite wisdom, God committed His word to writing. He could have continued speaking directly to individuals through dreams, visions, angelic visitations, etc. (Some people mistakenly think He does!) Or, He could have continued to miraculously inspire certain persons to proclaim His will. (Again, some misguided folks think He does.) Instead, God chose writing. The very word Scripture means “that which is written.”
John the apostle said he *wrote* the book bearing his name “that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31, NKJV). When the apostles and elders met in Jerusalem to settle a controversial issue, they *wrote* their Spirit-inspired decree and sent the letter to the brethren (Acts 15:20-30). Paul said that the things he *wrote* were the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). That same apostle said that by reading what he *wrote*, we can “understand [his] knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3, 4).
Family history is interesting, but not essential. I can go to Heaven without ever learning who is in that old photo. But I can’t go to Heaven without learning, believing, and obeying the gospel of Christ. I’m thankful I don’t have to rely on faulty memories or oral traditions. God has preserved His word in writing. Let us show our gratitude for the Scriptures by reading, studying, obeying, and teaching them!
Song: “How Precious Is The Book Divine”
Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving us your will in writing. We acknowledge Your wisdom in so doing. You have made it easy for us to have your word in a language we can read and understand. Help us to love your word, and to learn it, obey it, and teach it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)