Sometimes it can be hard to believe in the Bible. I’ve never been one who is very good at arguing over its validity. I know very little about its history, or the history of Christianity in general aside from what is in the Bible. As I started to study the Bible, The Word captured my heart, and I know in my being that it is true. I also know there are translation issues, yada yada…whatever. Not a big deal to me, but I do try to look at the meaning of certain words in greater detail if I’m struggling with a particular passage or idea.

Anyway, the point I’m getting at is this. I’ve been thinking about how amazing The Word is. We are told that Jesus is The Word – that it is He who searches and tries our hearts. I see more and more how that is also true of the written word – and I love it.

We all know that one can read most anything into the Bible, and it’s so easy for some to lead others astray by quoting scriptures that seem to validate their points. I like to use scriptures too, and I think we should. But, that’s not the point I’m struggling to make.

It seems like the scriptures will reveal to you just about anything you want to see. If you are puffed up in pride, it will show you things that fuel that. If you want to believe in some vain idea, you can find justification for it in the scriptures, then go to others “hoping to be confirmed.” If you want to use the Bible to fuel your political or social agendas, you can do that too.

But, if you are given a heart that is not only after the word, but THE WORD who is Jesus Christ, and you really want to know the truth, even if it flies in the face of your pride, vanities, world-views, and other agendas, you will see that too!

I’m afraid that precious little are those who approach the Bible with a heart that is eager and willing to be instructed, rather than using it as a tool for validating some darkness within themselves. But, for those of us who want to know the word and The Word, the Holy Spirit will not only reveal the truth of the scriptures to us, he also helps us see how others misuse the scriptures – and often how the way in which they do this reveals things about their character we should be cautious of.

Now, I know Jesus is the one who searches and judges hearts. I’m not saying we can do that. I just see something in how the Bible works, that for me, helps solidify my faith in its credibility.

How is it that a single book can appeal to so many people in so many ways – revealing the intent of the heart and even fueling it? How could the Bible do this and not have some divine, inspired quality? We really should be careful in how we handle the word of God!

Psalm 139

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.