The Best Book

          Through the years, I have accumulated a lot of books.  I have probably more than I should have with five bookcases in my study and about four bookcases in the basement.  I call the basement my overflow room.  With the exception of about 5 books on the Spanish language, all the rest are about the Bible.  One shelf contains about 25 different Bibles, some used more than others.  It certainly isn't an exhausting collection of books but it is a lot for me.  The question comes up,   "Is the Bible any different than any other book?"  "Is the Bible true?"  "Is the Bible on the same level as the writings of Caesar, or the Pope, or Martin Luther?"  There are many in the world today that say that the Bible is simply a book and that it has no more relevance to them than reading the Sunday newspaper.  It is no better or no different than any other so called spiritual writing that has emerged since the beginning of time.  The Bible has been under attack for the past 2,000 years and many people have tried in vain to disprove it or to cast some shadow of lies upon it.  Nevertheless, the Bible, the 66 books that we now have in one volume, has remained in tact and has not suffered as the result of attacks that have been made upon it.  You need not wonder why that is.  The Bible is different and the puny efforts of the self acclaimed  thinkers of this generation and of others can do anything to undermine its truth.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."   
      Students are in colleges where their faith is challenged by the teachers of their classes.  People in the work place are subject to the scorn and ridicule of those who are nothing more than "earth dwellers" and worshippers of the world system.  And, did you notice?  The Bible is still the same and the message is still the same and it's effect upon those who read it is still the same.  The Bible gets down to the real thoughts and intents of the heart as stated in the above verse.  Whether you like it or not, you cannot disguise or hide those thoughts and the Bible brings them out and shows them for what they are, the teachings of the Prince of the Power of the air.  So, when people in your circle clash with you in your belief about the Holy Scriptures, you can point to the fact of what they have done in your life as an example of God's working through His Word.   Praise God today for His Word and that He has preserved it through the ages.  Remember that Elijah thought he was alone and God reminded him of the number of those who were still His faithful followers.  Praise God today that we have a copy of His Word to guide us in our daily living and also tells us how to get to heaven and as the little children's song say, "I stand alone on the Word of God, The B I B L E."