Proverbs 4:1-4, Cling to the Bible
February 9, Proverbs 4:1-4
2 Tim. 3:10-17; 1 Pet. 1:18-25 “The more dearly he was loved, the more carefully was he taught.”
Cling to the Bible
How wonderful to realise that the Bible never grows old. As Vance Havner puts it, “The Word of God is either absolute or obsolete.” The generations come and go, but the Word of God shall stand forever. Kant (1724-1804) put it better than he knew, “The Bible is an inexhaustible fountain of all truths. [Its] existence is the greatest blessing which humanity ever experienced.” Yet, it was Kant’s teaching, perhaps more than any other man, that opened the door to the modern denial that man can really know God or His Word, and prepared the way for Neo-orthodoxy and existentialism! Consider the Bible’s teaching.
- It is Progressive in imparting divine instruction and understanding. Of this father it is said, He taught me. It must be precept upon precept, line upon line; here a little, and there a little (Isa. 28:9-10), for the Bible is God’s book not man’s. “The Bible… transcends all our categories and increasingly supplies our finite minds from its inexhaustible store of treasures” (Lloyd-Jones). Spurgeon spoke for all of us when he said, “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” Solomon came to value increased wisdom above everything else (1 Kg. 3:7-13). So this father urges his children to hold on to the Bible till it holds on to them.
- It is Protective of all who obey. Hear the appeal! Keep my commandments. The highest authority on earth is that of godly parents who are controlled by God’s Law. When the Bible is put into practice it protects our best interests. Solomon was an only beloved son (Isaac, Gn. 22). He stood alone in the choice of God (1 Chr. 29), and also in the honour of his father. His parents were protective of him and his upbringing. Solomon puts every godly father and son in his position. Thus he once stood before his father, as you, young person, now stand before yours. He recalls how very untaught he was then. His father had urged him to lay hold on his law before it was God’s Law. Fathers, press this godly heritage on your children. Keep my commandments and they will keep you (1 Jn. 2:3).
- It is Promotive of Life. Retain them! Keep them and Live! These are Words that quicken, giving life and power to the intellect as well as the soul (Heb. 4:12). There is so much poison filtering down to our youth through our schools and universities, both secular and religious. Retain means to lay hold of, grasp firmly, cling to. Consider how it is used in 5:5, where her steps take hold on hell, or in 5:22, be holden with the cods of his sin. Keep means guard, watch-over, preserve. There is deceitful danger abroad today. Sin’s steps take hold on hell. They promote eternal death, never life. Either take fast hold on God’s Word or the words of men will take fast hold on you to your sorrow. Man will continue to take the wrong road apart from the intervention of God’s saving grace, for as Tozer said, “It is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God himself.”
Thought: “The Bible is not antique, or modern. It is eternal” (Luther).
Prayer: Lord, let me be taken captive by the Holy Scriptures.