Grafton
Free Presbyterian
Church
A Brief Meditation for the Month
October 2021
While wealthy billionaires are launching themselves into space in rockets for a few hours of viewing our planet from the heavens, ordinary folks like you and I can carry on with the simple affairs of this life assured from God’s word, the Bible, that if we are the children of God by faith, we shall one day reside beyond the stars. It is from the promises of God contained in his word that his believing people draw their comfort and encouragement in this life. Some may feel they are passing through life’s journey barely noticed. They are not among those referred to as the big achievers or society’s stars. Their names and deeds will not be recorded as those of outstanding or remarkable attainments in the estimation of men. However, even the humblest of God’s dear ones will receive divine recognition when, for them, life comes to an end in this world and they pass from time to eternity. The most extensively used of all God’s servants will undoubtedly receive their reward and crown when they enter heavenly glory, but even they will acknowledge that the grace that enables the poorest believer to persevere to the end and enter glory is that upon which they have been equally dependent. They will humbly testify that no merits of theirs have been, or will ever be, the grounds for their acceptance with God. Not one of the redeemed, glorified saints will glory in anything but the matchless, unfathomable grace of God towards sinners. The blessed Saviour who received sinners in this world (Luke 15:2) will welcome and receive them to their heavenly home. This was the hope of the Psalmist Asaph when he penned his testimonial in Psalm 73:24, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” The Bible is the believer’s reliable source of counsel and guidance through this world. Neglecting or ignoring its counsel is the sure way to wander into trouble and find ourselves astray from God.
It is recorded of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, from 1861–1865, that he once professed, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man,” and that, “All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated through this book; but for this book we could not know right from wrong. All the things desirable to man are contained in it.” Sadly, it is rare in our contemporary world to find leaders of nations professing such an appreciation for the Bible. While it is not for me to pass judgment on the spirituality of Abraham Lincoln, I cannot but admire his forthright testimony to the value of the Bible’s content and teaching. We are witnesses today to the consequences of Bible abandonment throughout our society. The prophet Isaiah directed his nation to God’s revealed word stating: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. He was addressing those who were seeking light and guidance from useless mediums while advising them as to where the truth was to be found. When God’s word, the Bible, is rejected as our personal, family, or national code of conduct, confusion reigns. However, as the inspired Psalmist reminds us, the one who finds delight in God’s law, rather than in the counsel of ungodly advisors, is blessed, Psalm 1:1–2. While many in our confused society stand in awe of the sentiments of those perceived to be the scholars and the knowledgeable opinion shapers in our world, the happiest and most contented child of God is the one who, like the Psalmist, can say, “my heart standeth in awe of thy word,” Psalm 119:161. May God yet be pleased to revive such an attitude to the Bible that has guided multitudes through life’s journey to their eternal rest.
G. G. Hutton.