How Do We View The Bible?

Actress Julia Roberts was once asked what object she valued most. She replied, "I have a letter from my daddy, the only letter that I managed not to lose as a child. If anyone ever took that letter away from me, I would just be destroyed. It doesn't mean anything to anybody else, yet I can read that letter 10 times a day, and it moves me in a different way every time."

Dear reader, how do we view the Bible? Do we think of it as simply a unique ancient book known for its historical and religious values? Or do we value it as a personal letter from our Heavenly Father to us — the only such letter in existence? Do we daily read the Scriptures repeatedly, finding in them something new with each reading that motivates our heart? (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; Acts 17:11; Luke 24:32; Acts 8:26-39).

If we no longer sense God speaking to us through His word, let's try spending a week reading and studying Psalm 119 — an anthem of praise for His Word. We'll find that the Bible will make us wise and help us to restrain ourselves "from every evil way" (Psalm 119:98,101). It will become "sweet" to our taste. In fact, it will be "sweeter than honey to [our] mouth" (Psalm 119:103; cf. Ezekiel 3:1-3; Revelation 10:9).

"How precious is the Book divine,
By inspiration giv'n!
Bright as a lamp its precepts shine,
To guide my soul to heav'n.

Holy Book divine!
Precious treasure mine!
Lamp to my feet and a light to my way
To guide me safely home." —L.O. Sanderson

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets