“It is a book that contains 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. It should be read to be wise, believed to be safe, and practiced to be holy. It contains light to direct our paths, food to support our journey, and comfort to cheer our heart. Christ is the grand subject, our good is its design, and God’s glory its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it frequently and prayerfully; it is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is the book of books, God’s Word, the Bible.” (copied)
Canadian pastor and author Dyson Hague wrote of it: “Therefore think not of it as a good book, or even as a better book, but lift it in heart and mind and faith and love far, far above all, and ever regard it, not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the Word of God; nay, more as the living Word of the living God: supernatural in origin; eternal in duration; inexpressible in value; infinite in scope; divine in authorship; human in penmanship; regenerative in power; infallible in authority; universal in interest; personal in application; and, as St. Paul declared, inspired in totality.”
Of the Bible, the late Harry Rimmer, in his book Seven Wonders of the World, wrote: “The Book by which men live successfully and die triumphantly needs no help from scholarship and asks no aid from science; in all things and in every generation it is sufficient unto itself, and has an abundant contribution to make to every mental and spiritual need of man. This can be claimed for no other writing in the possession of our race.”
Evangelist and educator R.A. Torrey posited 10 reasons “why I believe the Bible: (1) The testimony of Jesus Christ (Matt.5:18); (2) Its fulfilled prophecies (Micah 5:2); (3) The Unity of the book—30+ men, 66 books, 1500 years; (4) Its immeasurable superiority over any other book (it contains all the truth and all it contains is truth); (5) From its history, survival; (6) From the character of those who accept/reject it; (7) From the influence of the book; (8) From its inexhaustible depth—nothing has been added to it, but the great minds of the ages have not exhausted it; (9) As we grow in knowledge and holiness, we grow toward the Bible—the nearer we get to God’s standpoint, the less we disagree with it; (10) The direct testimony of the Holy Spirit.”
One scribe has well declared, “The Bible lives! Generation follows generation—yet it lives; Nations rise and nations fall—yet it lives; kings, dictators, presidents come and go—yet it lives; hated, despised, cursed—yet it lives; doubted, suspected, criticized—yet it lives; condemned by atheists—yet it lives; scoffed at by scorners—yet it lives; exaggerated by fanatics—yet it lives; ranted and raved about—yet it lives! Its inspiration is denied—yet it lives! Yet it lives, as a lamp to our feet; yet it lives, as a light to our path; yet it lives, as the gate to heaven; yet it lives, as a standard for childhood; yet it lives, as a guide for youth; yet it lives, as an inspiration for the matured; yet it lives, as a comfort for the aged; yet it lives, as food for the hungry; yet it lives, as a rest for the weary; yet it lives, as a light for the heathen; yet it lives, as salvation for the sinner; yet it lives, as grace for the Christian. To know it is to love it; to love it is to accept it. To accept it means life eternal.”
The Bible stands through the ages—blasphemed, beaten, battered, and yet it stands indomitable!
“Last eve I passed beside the blacksmith’s door, and heard the anvil ring the vesper chime. Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor, old hammers, worn with beating years of time. ‘How many anvils have you had,’ said I, ‘to wear and batter all these hammers so?’ ‘Just one,’ said he, and then with twinkling eye, ‘The anvil wears the hammers out you know.’ And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word, for ages skeptic’s blows have beat upon; yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, the anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.” (John Clifford)
Well, I cannot close this collage of tributes to the book of books without sharing this classic, “Billy Sunday’s Tour Through the Bible.” (Origins unknown.) Enjoy:
“Twenty-four years ago, with the Holy Spirit as my guide, I entered at the portico of Genesis and walked down the art gallery of the Old Testament, where on the wall hung the pictures of Enoch, Noah, Jacob, Abraham, Elijah, David, Daniel, and other famous prophets of old. Then I passed into the music room of the Psalms where the Spirit swept the key-board of my soul and brought forth melody from the dirge-like wail, like that of the weeping prophet Jeremiah, to the grand exultant strains of the 24th Psalm; and where every reed and pipe in God’s great organ of nature seemed to respond to the tuneful harp of David, the sweet singer of Israel who played for King Saul in his melancholy moods.
Next, I passed into the business office of Proverbs, then into the chapel of Ecclesiastes, where the voice of the preacher was heard; then over into the observatory of the Song of Songs, where the lily of the valley and the rose of Sharon, with their full-scented spices, filled and perfumed my life. Then I stepped into the prophetic room and saw the telescopes of various sizes, some pointing to far-off stars and events, and others to near-by stars, but all concentrated upon the Bright and Morning Star, which was to rise above the moonlit hills of Judea for our salvation—while the shepherds guarded their flocks by night.
From there I passed into the audience room and caught a glimpse of the King’s glory from the standpoint of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then into the Acts, where the Holy Spirit was doing His work in the formation room where John, Paul, Peter, James and Jude sat at their desks penning their epistles to the Church. And last, I stepped into the throne room of the Revelation, where all towered into glittering peaks, and I got a vision of the King sitting upon His throne in all His glory. Then I bowed my head and said, ‘All hail the power of Jesus’ Name, Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.’”
“This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
YOU and GOD 