To Encourage You

1 Peter 1:16 “. . . it is written . . . “

If you are a Christian, the short phrase above should be some of the most important words in your life.  It’s referring to the words of the Bible.  And because the Bible is the very Word of God, it’s referring to the very words that God has spoken to us.  Can you fathom that the God Who created the universe has given us His very words in black and white on the written page?!  It is these words that are the only things that have come to us directly from heaven that we can pick up in our hands and look at with our eyes.  Psalm 19 tells us the following incredible things about the divine words that have been written to us from God: they are perfect, they revive the soul, they are sure, they make wise the heart, they are right, they bring joy to the heart, they are pure, they give light to our eyes, they are clean, they will endure forever, they are true, they are righteous altogether, they are to be desired more than gold, they are sweeter than honey, they contain incredibly significant warnings, and in keeping them there is great reward.  Do you know anything else that is even remotely like this?  Is there anything with which the words of God can compare?  

And so, the question for each of us is, do we even care about what has been written?  Does it matter to us what God has said? Do we actually think we can go through life oblivious to what He has told us and end up alright in the end?  Well, if you think so, then think about anyone else to whom you’ve had to answer in life.  If you played high school or collegiate sports, did you listen to what the coach had to say? If not, I wonder how that worked out for you?  If you ignored your boss’ words over the years, what effect would that have on your life? If your parents’ words went in one ear and out the other, what effect did such negligence have? And if your spouse was constantly ignored by you, I assume that they are your ex-spouse by now. Well, if there are such negative impacts possible if we fail to listen to THESE authorities, how in the world do we think we can ignore the King of kings and it all turn out OK?  

May God help us to have ears to hear what He has said.  Not only that, but may He give us a mind to understand and a heart to obey these most precious words that have ever been said to anyone anywhere at any time in the history of man.