The Word of God

My dad has always enjoyed word play. He loves to listen to Hotel California by the Eagles because of lines in the song like, “some dance to remember, some dance to forget.” Or “We haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine.” Phrases such as these hold varied levels of interpretive meaning and being my father’s son, I am intrigued by puns as well.

                The other night my wife and I were sitting in our living room watching a sermon by Alistair Begg—yes, I know that we are two “nerdy” peas in a pod. As Alistair began his sermon with the reading of scripture he said, “Isn’t it good that we have our bibles to turn to.” I began to think about this phrase, and it has varied levels of meaning quite different from the lyrics of the popular Eagles song. Alistair Begg introduced his sermon with a pun of sorts and the paragraphs that follow represent my interpretation of his phrase.

                Isn’t it good that we have our bibles- The Holy Scriptures are God’s Word to His people. This may sound simple and cliché; however, the revelation of God’s Word is a truth of which we constantly need be reminded. Throughout redemptive history, God has spoken to His people through the writings of peasants, prophets, and kings. What an amazing gift these writings are! David said, “The rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Ps. 19:9b-10) May this truth be in our hearts and on our lips continually.

                Not only is it precious to have God’s Word to instruct, encourage, and guide us, but we are blessed to have the Sacred Volumes translated into our own common language. Men like William Tyndale have suffered agonizing torment and death so that we English readers can have the Word of God planted in our laps for personal study.  Isn’t it good that we have our bibles to turn to?

                We have our bibles to turn to- This part of the phrase could mean that it is good for us to have our bibles to turn to a particular passage, but aren’t we also glad we have our bibles to turn to in times of trouble or in times of confusion? When my wife and I lost our son last year, all theological superfluity sank like sand underneath the weight of our devastating grief. As the sand melted away, we were left standing on the pillar of God’s Word for comfort.

                It is good that we have the Bible to turn to. We are doubly blessed that God would mercifully speak to us, and give us His word in our own common language for study. I pray that you and I will not complacently study our bibles, but diligently peruse the bible for what it is, the Words of God (1 Thess. 2: 13). Aren’t you glad you have the Bible to turn to?