WHY SHOULD I TRUST THE BIBLE?

The Bible has long been the “best-selling book” in the world, and especially here in our country. However, the buying of the book and affirming its value does not mean people even read it –let alone build their lives on it…or find it reliable. Certainly, many want to dismiss it and Christianity saying they are based on a flawed document and principles. But the Bible continually shows us it trustworthiness and reliability, and we can trust it in all matters. We recently studied Psalms 139 and 19. Now we turn to Psalm 119, the longest psalm (and the longest chapter in the Bible), and it is also longer than 30 entire books in the Bible. It is comprised of 22 stanzas, and each stanza begins with a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic psalm lifts up the wonders and perfections of God’s Word. But more importantly, Psalm 119 points us to the benefits we receive as we rely on the truths of Scripture. The theme of this lesson is-“The only safe place to build our lives in on God’s Word”.

Read Psalm 119:137-144

This psalm is a love poem written about the Law of God. It poetically brings forth the virtues and practical value of the Word of God. Most believe this poem was written by Ezra, in a time of persecution, perhaps during a period when idol worshippers were in charge, and the worshippers of Yahweh were on the run (vv. 8, 139, 141, 143, 153, and 154). Even in the midst of this extreme trials and hardship, the psalmist praises the Law of God “as his most precious treasure (vv. 72, 127), as his source of joy and delight (vv. 16, 24, 47, and 70), as the goal of his knowledge and standard of conduct in his life (vv. 12, 26, 64, and 68), and as the object of his love (v. 47). This breakdown by verses helps us to know that the psalmist had a love affair with the Word of God- and helps us to more fully understand Psalm 119.

Though the Bible was once regarded as a reliable source of principles for life and even government, it is no longer. What are some reasons people question the reliability of the Bible? (They don’t know what the Bible says. They don’t believe it. It has fairy tails or they are just stories.)How does knowing these reasons help us understand the Bible? (Helps our belief, helps us to talk with others about the Bible.) People often say, “You can’t trust the Bible. After all, it has been changed so many times over the years. And it is disproved by science.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Of all the ancient manuscripts considered trustworthy by scholars, the Bible is the best attested and most reliable work in existence today. And where history and the Bible seemed to disagree, further archaeological study has repeatedly vindicated the Bible. Many points that science uses to discredit the Bible have been shown false, and more will come as God chooses to reveal them. (Check the comments of the recent Ham vs. Nye debate.) Where science and the Bible seem in conflict, there is either a misunderstanding of the Bible, or science still has more to learn.

However, one need not prove the Bible, for the Bible proves itself. Biblical principles guided our Founding Fathers as they created the greatest (not perfect) form of government in history. In addition, lives built upon the principles in Scripture are like sturdy steel ships that safely sail the stormy seas of life. The psalmist answers any thought that there is no absolute standard of right or wrong with – you are righteous, Lord. Righteous simply means morally right, correct, or proper. Everything God does is by the Book, for He wrote the Book. One of the unifying themes of the Bible is that God is the standard of rightness in the universe. His judgments and decrees are altogether trustworthy. So the Bible is something to be obeyed. Obeying the law, as presented by the Bible, establishes fellowship with the living God. It also provides light and guidance. The psalms’ meaning is clearly apparent to those who read it thoroughly.

Read Psalm 119:1-8

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we are told- “All Scripture is inspired by God”. The Scripture is the product of God’s Holy Spirit working through people and is profitable. The Scriptures are God’s Word, in God’s Word we hear God’s voice, and God’s voice brings healing. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit”. One key point of this psalm is that obedience to God’s law is the way to happiness. The poet asked divine help in understanding and keeping the law (vv.1-8). God’s Word in one’s heart brings joy and protects the believer from sin (vv. 9-16).

The law is not a substitute for God but a guide to doing His Will. It is not a burden to the psalmist but a joy. The “statues” represent the written law of God. The “word” is a dynamic communication of God’s Will for mankind. Sometimes the law is also presented as “promise”. Each verse in Psalm 119 is built around a different word which is a synonym for the Word of God. The word “law” occurs 25 times; “word” appears 23 times; “statues” and “commandments are used 22 times; and “surety”, “appointment” and “faithfulness” are used once. So the basis theme of the psalm is the law of God. The psalm sang the praise of the law under all kinds of circumstances, persecution, false accusation, temptation and intellectual doubt. The psalmist is writing a repetitive meditation on the beauty of God’s Word and how it helps us stay pure and grow in faith with a sincere heart. Such repetition of the use of God’s Word was common in the Hebrew culture. People did not have personal copies of the Scriptures, so God’s people memorized His Word and passed it along daily. The structure of this psalm allowed for easy memorization.

As believers, we need to daily “seek Him with all our heat”. We might start with Matthew 5-7, which reveals how believers behave in God’s kingdom.  Then go to Romans 6-8 that examines our sin problem and how to overcome it. Next turn to Ephesians 4-6 and learn how to have godly relationships in the church, in the home, and at work, and how to put on an all-important armor of God that is needed to defeat the devil. Verse 2 tells us that “Happy are those” who daily seek God in the pages of His Word. Building our lives upon God’s Word certainly works, for it will lead us to happiness like a laser targeting system will lead a missile to its target. God’s Word truly is the only safe place to build our lives, and it is true for everyone! In conclusion, we can trust the Bible because of all the promises of the Bible that has already been fulfilled and all of the witnesses of the people that have lived before us. So it is reliable and trustworthy but also the lives of those –like us- who follow its decrees, precepts, and instructions are witness that we can trust the Bible.

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