The Bible is a wonderful book. In fact, it isn’t even one book, but a collection of 66 books. It has over 780,000 words which is more than the Lord of the Rings, the Iliad, and the Odyssey. About 40 different authors are said to have written it over a period of about 1,600 years. It has been the world’s best seller for centuries. No man, woman, or child has had a book have a bigger influence on them than the Bible. Theodore Roosevelt said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Ronald Reagan observed “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” One writer penned, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character... Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”
George Bernard Shaw said, “The Bible is more up to date than the morning newspapers.” The Bible is worth far more than any penny, dollar, check, or ruby (cf. Proverbs 8:11; 16:16). This must have been why Solomon urged people to buy the truth and sell it not (Proverbs 23:23). Patrick Henry would agree when he said, “Here is a book worth more than all others ever printed.” “When Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he asked a friend to read to him. His friend, scanning the 20,000 volumes in Scott’s great library, asked, ‘What book would you like?’ ‘Need you ask? There is but one Book.’”[1] Josiah began a restoration after having found the Law of God in the house of the Lord (2 Kings 22-23). It was the people in Ezra’s day that told him “to bring the book of the law of Moses” (Nehemiah 8:1) about which they heard him read “from the morning until midday” (Nehemiah 8:3). When Paul was in prison, he urged Timothy to bring the parchments and books (2 Timothy 4:13)—perhaps a reference to the Old Testament and some New Testament writings. God’s words are truly “God’s Mind in print!”[2]
Endnotes
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