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The Parentage of Your Bible--Conclusion
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THE PARENTAGE OF YOUR BIBLE
Text: "Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read.... "--Isaiah 34:16
Conclusion
"The Book I have in my hand is the Book of God: He is the Author of it, and at His order, holy men of God wrote it whom He inspired and directed. Yet, of all the writings of the world this one is the most neglected. God has condescended to become an Author, yet we will not read His Book.
"Very few have ever given this Book of God one fair reading through. Most read this Book as they would a proclamation, a romance, a play, or a novel."
Such was the observation of George Whitefield, the 18th century evangelist.
In addition to public reading of the Scriptures, the Word of God ought to be read PRIVATELY. "Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord and read," exhorted the prophet Isaiah.
It ought to be read SERIOUSLY for it is the book of the LORD!
And if we handle it seriously, we will then read it PRAYERFULLY.
Do you desire knowledge of the Holy Scriptures? Then you may read whole chapters, or entire books found there. But if you seek nourishment for your soul, read the Book SPARINGLY, for in no other way can you digest it.
It was George Whitefield who on another occasion observed, "What digestion is to the body, meditation is to the soul." Therefore, read the Book of God MEDITATIVELY. This demands you read it ATTENTIVELY, as well as REFLECTIVELY. Pay close attention to what you read in this Book for it is the Book of God! Likewise, pay close attention to what you have read herein.
Now if you handle the Word of God Seriously, you must read it SYSTEMATICALLY and not in a haphazard way. This is God’s Book!
Read it CALMLY, CAREFULLY, DAILY.
John Wesley exclaimed,
I have thought I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: just hovering over the great gulf, till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity!
I want to know one thing--the way to Heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach us the way. For this very end He came from Heaven. He hath written it down in a book. 0 give me that Book! At any price, give me the Book of God!
Martin Luther cried, "Let this single Book be in all tongues, in all hands, before all eyes, in all ears, and in all hearts."
And once again that man of God taught, "Reason thinks, ’Oh, if I could only hear God once; to hear Him I would run to the end of the world.... ’ Listen, then, o man, my brother! ...God the Creator of Heaven and earth is speaking to you."
APRIL
20, 1718--David Brainerd is born in Connecticut. He will become an apostle to the American
Indians, but through arduous labors, his flame will dim early.
24, 1529--The Lutheran reformers are first called "Protestants" at the Diet of Spires in Germany.
*25, ----: On this 14th day of Iyar, formerly called "Zif", the Passover is to be observed by those who were unclean or on a journey and were unable to observe it the first month. --Numbers 9:10,11.
*25,.... : This is the day when King Hezekiah proclaimed an irregular Passover because the priests had not "sanctified themselves sufficiently."--II Chronicles 30:1-27.
25, 1735 --Samuel Wesley, a faithful shepherd to his flock, dies as faithfully as he has lived. He leaves behind him two outstanding sons, John and Charles. He has almost reached the age of 72 years. A few moments before his death he can be heard to confess,
"I thank Him for all; I bless Him for all; I love Him for all."
25, 1814--Adoniram Judson leaves his mission board to join the American Baptist Missionary Union.
26, 1521--Martin Luther leaves the city of Worms, Germany, riding in a wagon with his brother, John. Two other persons are in the wagon with them. Martin’s destination is Wittemburg, his home. But he has been declared an outlaw and a price has been placed on his life. Will he make it home?
Someone can be heard to ask him, "Where will you hide?"
"Under Heaven!" is his reply.
*28,....: In this 600th year of Noah’s life, on this 17th day of this 2nd month, the fountains of the deep are broken up, and the windows of Heaven are opened. Noah along with his wife, his sons and their wives enter into the ark, as do the animals Genesis 7:11-16. It will rain for 40 days and nights.
*All dates with reference to the Jewish calendar may be as much as 2 weeks in difference.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."--Revelation 5:12b.
And every creature which is in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever, and ever."
And the four beasts said, "Amen." And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever. --Revelation 8:13,14.