“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” Job 38:4
Dear Ones:
Why in the Christian faith is so much attention given to the reading and study of the Bible? It is because there is power in the truth, power to truly LIVE. In the pages of Scripture is found the eternal truth of God, His nature, character, a knowledge of His ways…most importantly for us, the knowledge of how we can be aligned with Him, and partaker of His blessed nature. But there is a problem. It has to do with “representation” of the truth, rather than the truth. God does NOT bless the resemblance to the truth, but the very truth itself.
Moses was not permitted to enter the promised land because he, after receiving a most extraordinary vision and knowledge of God, did not communicate that knowledge to the people of Israel in a correct manner. He presented to them a “representation” rather than the reality. When the friends of Job sought to comfort him in his suffering and misery, they too presented to him a “representation,” rather than the truth. The Lord told Eliphaz the Temanite, that he and his two friends “…have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath.” (Job 42:7) If we take this line of thought to its conclusion, we end up with an “idol,” a false idea of the Divine, and the consequent worship which results, with all of its abhorrent distortions and manifestations. This, God will NOT bless. He pours forth His strength and life ALWAYS in accordance to the truth of Who He is and What He has said. Beyond a mission, a calling, a work…the true knowledge of God is essential if there would be the great blessing of God, and the true experience of the power of His blessed life.
The Psalmist puts the matter so very clearly before us when he speaks of the man that God will bless. “Blessed is the man…(whose) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” (Ps. 1:1) He goes on to specifically expound on the matter of blessing. He shall be like a tree…established, and strong. He shall be fruitful, there being the fruits of blessing for others. His “life” shall be eternal, for his leaf will not wither. And lastly, “…whatsoever he does shall prosper.” Herein is Life, Blessing, and Power…because of the pursuit and adherence to the truth. It is by, and according to the truth, that God will bless the individual life.
When Joshua was commissioned to take Israel into the promised land, the Lord specifically instructed him: “…you shall meditate in the book of the law day and night.” (Josh. 1:8) Why? In order to “DO” according to what is written therein. It is there, according to the truth, that God will give, pour out the blessing. Again, the promise is: “…then you will make your way prosperous, and you will have success.”
When Paul was nearing the end of his life and ministry, he instructed Timothy: “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of TRUTH.” (2 Tim. 2:15) In revealing the practical importance of knowing the truth, he speaks of Timothy’s ministry of “instructing those that oppose themselves,” who have become ensnared of the devil, having been taken captive to do his will.”(2Tim. 2:24-25) He tells Timothy that deliverance comes by God giving them repentance (a change of mind and heart), “…to the acknowledging of the TRUTH.” It is the knowledge of the truth that lays the foundation in our hearts and minds for the Son of God to set us free.
Dear Father, blessed God of truth, who gives your glory to no idol, no representation or false presentation of the “truth,” give us a hungering and thirsting after righteousness to such an extent that we love Thy word, and seek Thee ardently in its pages. We thank Thee that, as You have met countless believers throughout history, You wait to meet us TODAY…according to the truth. Oh how we praise You Lord Jesus that You ARE the truth, and will be known according to the truth. We thank and praise Thee, Father for the immeasurable privilege of knowing Thy truth, Thy Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad