02202021 Clinging to the Bible

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the greatest Author of all time. God has written a masterpiece, the Bible, and has given it to us for our help.

Lesson #26. Clinging to the Bible is essential. We need the Bible every day and in all situations, but in the midst of a trial, we need it more than ever. Our need increases with the intensity of the trial. Job declared that God's words were the most important thing, even more than food. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed [treasured] the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (23:12).

Why is the Bible so critically important? In particular, why do we need the Bible so desperately in the midst of a severe trial? Job gives us that one verse, declaring the importance of God's words, and his experience illustrates many reasons, but Job himself does not state them. To develop the concept, I turned to Psalm 119, which reveals many reasons for treasuring God's Word in a time of trial.

First, for refuge. "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word" (Psalm 119:114). When there is nowhere else to hide and no other source of shelter, God's Word guards and protects.

Second, for stability. "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law" (Psalm 119:61). "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction" (Psalm 119:92). The Bible is what anchors the believer. It is what does not change in the midst of the swirling changes. It is what keeps frail man from collapse.

Third, for guidance. "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors" (Psalm 119:24). "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation" (Psalm 119:99). So many questions and decisions arise in the midst of a trial. God's Word gives answers, wisdom, counsel, insight.

Fourth, for comfort. "My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word" (Psalm 119:28). "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened [revived] me" (Psalm 119:50). God's Word has the inexplicable ability to minister to hurting hearts, to assuage grief that seems inconsolable, to give hope where there is none.

Fourth, for peace. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165). Trials threaten peace, but the Bible rises to the challenge. The timeless Word of God arises as a steadfast and stabilizing pillar.

Fifth, for refreshing and renewal. "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103). "I am afflicted very much: quicken [revive] me, O LORD, according unto thy word" (Psalm 119:107). God's Word can do wonders for a broken and hurting spirit. It can infuse new life, new vigor, new strength to continue on.

Sixth, for joy. "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart" (Psalm 119:111). Who would expect joy in the middle of a trial! But the words of God are so uplifting, so full of wonderful truths, that they can give joy even in the midst of heartache.

Seventh, for deeper understanding. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" (Psalm 119:71). "I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies" (Psalm 119:125). Trials take the theory of God's Word and make it abundantly practical. The application of God's truth in real-life situations deeply reinforces in the heart what was previously known only in the mind.

Eighth, for deeper commitment. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word" (Psalm 119:67). "I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened [revived] me" (Psalm 119:93). When God, through His help and His Word, brings a Christian through deep waters, there is a new soberness about life. There is a new focus and gratitude that strengthens the believer's faith and commitment.

Ninth, because of the danger of sin. "Thy word have I hid [treasured] in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11). Temptations are plentiful during a trial, and regular dependence on Scripture helps to meet and defeat those temptations.

Tenth, because of the danger of drifting. "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments" (Psalm 119:10). "Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood" (Psalm 119:118). Many believers stand strong for years, only to crumble and even walk away from God under an intense battle. Man is not strong enough on his own to face that potential danger, but a firm reliance on the Bible and commitment to its truth will grant protection and will keep the believer faithful to God.

Eleventh, for help in responding to others. "So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word" (Psalm 119:42). One of the most difficult questions of man regards why God allows suffering. When Christians are able to suffer, grounded in biblical answers, they are able to address the questions of others. In particular, they will have answers for those who are skeptical of or inquisitive about Christianity.

Twelfth, for encouragement to others. "They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word" (Psalm 119:74). It has often been said that those who are suffering encourage those who seek to minister, rather than the other way around. This ability stems in large part from Bible-based thinking by the sufferer, especially as he seeks God's help more constantly and more dependently. Because the Bible is so alive and so treasured at the moment, it spills out to bless others.

Yes, the Bible is absolutely needed in a time of trial. We believe that Job had no written word of God, only what had been passed down orally, yet he clung to those words. Oh, the wonder of what we have at our disposal! God has given us great abundance to help us in our time of need.

May God open your eyes in a special way as you look into His Word this week. May He give you ALL that you need for your spirit.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA