The Precious Word of God

Being a bi-vocational pastor blesses me with the opportunity to wear another hat aside from that as husband, father, friend, preacher, pastor and others. That hat, in my case is called, “funeral director.” Serving in this role has been much more fulfilling than I realized as I care for my families and facilitate the final wishes of those closest to them.

I recently directed a service at a church in our area that I had not been to before.  That being the case, I made a trip to the church in advance to familiarize myself, and as I walked down the hallway, I eventually found myself at the pastor’s office with the hopes of making an introduction. The door was open, and I glanced inside. I immediately noticed a large book sitting on the desk adjacent to his. It looked old from where I was standing, and it towered over the books around it. “Large” is not an adequate description. This thing was gigantic!

The pastor uttered a kind “hello” and I responded likewise but could not take my eyes off what I perceived to be a splendid Bible in my midst. I followed quickly with an inquiry that sounded something like, “What is that?”, but I knew the answer. I just needed a closer look and more details. Sure enough it was a Bible, the largest I have ever seen, written in German in 1765. It had an amazing cover and beautiful original woodprints inside with two super cool latches that would have assisted in protecting the Holy Innards as it traveled.

I soon learned of an older man who owned the Bible and donated it to the church before he passed. He had spent time serving in a government position in Europe years before and found the Bible in the back of a small used bookstore in Germany.

After disposing with the sinful thought of grabbing this Holy Specimen and making a run for it, I sat for a bit, turning the pages, and my thoughts turned to how amazing it was that this beautiful divine Work over two centuries old had made its way for thousands of miles to the small rural community of North Zulch, TX. Psalm 12:6-7 gives us insight into how and why this happens:

“The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

Consider the following observations:

• This Word has divine origins!

This Psalm sets the Word of the Lord apart from those that began anywhere else other than God Himself. These are not just any words, these are they which the Lord, Himself, has spoken. This has great implications for how we understand the Text.  We are not just reading words on a page. This is not simply another literary work compiled for the sake of “self-help.” These are the very WORDS OF GOD! Note what Paul had to say to Timothy about the Words of God,

“…from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

It is God’s Words and contained within is the power of God to the Holy benefit of those who thirst for what He and only He can provide!

• This Word is pure!

The psalmist gives insight into the purity of Scripture as he compares it to a precious metal that has been repeatedly tried in immense heat facilitating the elimination of any impurities. There is no waste in the Bible. It is all nourishing to the soul of the Christian. There is no better meal found for those who desire to live in the will of God than what the Scripture provides.

• This Word is supernaturally protected and preserved!

While the world seeks to locate mistakes in what we know to be a divinely inspired infallible work, the Lord continues to preserve it in His providence and the foolishness of preaching. He moves His Word about in amazing ways and brings it forth for the preservation of His saints as we take in its vast riches and grow from the plethora of spiritual calories found on every page.

It is comforting to know that God preserves His Word. Ministries still today spend much in the way of resources printing the Scripture in different languages and utilizing new technology and methods to send the Word of God to new regions of the earth. Countless efforts are being made to broadcast the Word of God as we seek to fulfill the command of Christ to,

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Lord, help us as we stay diligent to the work you have set before us, and may we never lose sight of the immense blessing it is to sit with You in the Scriptures. They truly are precious!