Our Holy Bible contains the mind of God, the state of men, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.

Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the ways of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the redemption of man its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, a river of pleasure.

It is given to you in life, will be open in the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibilities, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. – Author Unknown

If we believe the Bible is God’s Word and special means of communication, do we take the Bible seriously?

Isaiah 66:1-2 – Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

God is looking for people who have a holy reverence for the Word and a plan to learn and apply it.

The Importance Scripture Places on Listening to God.

• “Hear the Word of the Lord” occurs 28 times in NASB.
• “Hear” is found 347 times and many of these have to deal with hearing His Word.
• Comments like, “Incline your ear”, “Give ear”, pay or give attention” – Listen intently.
• In Mark 4:24 the Lord warns us to be careful what we hear.
• In Luke 8:18 – the Lord warns us to be careful how we hear.

The point is simple – God wants you and I hear Him!.  God has much to say to us and because He is all-wise and sovereign it is imperative for us to listen carefully.

Ways to Hear About God

We learn about God through Jesus.

We find in Matthew 11:27 – “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”  Also John writes in John 14:9 – “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”  Whenever we spend time reading and studying Jesus we come to learn about God.  We learn about the love, peace, compassion of God by witnessing it in action through Jesus Christ.

We Learn about God through His Word

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God.”  Peter adds in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “The men who wrote the Bible spoke from God.”  Because God is the author of this love letter, we can learn about Him upon each and every page.  It is a autobiography if you will.  The more time we spend in His Word the more we learn about God.

We learn about God through His Creation.

Paul writes to the church in Romans 1:20 – “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

A few days ago I was rummaging through some old pictures from church camp.  I began to notice that each year I took the same picture, only it never looked the same.  The picture is one of an evening sunset, overlooking the camp.  I began to meditate as to why I always took, “this” picture.  It didn’t take me long to realize that I take this picture for two reasons.  One – It symbolizes and emcompasses church camp to me.  Two – It reminds me of how big, powerful, and awesome the God I serve truly is.  We can learn about God by looking at nature.  It is His work, His creation, and He shares it with us!  God’s invisible attributes, divine power, and divine nature are revealed through His creation.

We can learn about God through Godly teachers.

A powerful testimony is shared with us in Acts 28:30-31, “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”  I have such deep appreciation for those who have invested their time and energy is teaching me the Word of God.  No one person in particular stands out but the effort of the church village is always fresh on my mind.  I am thankful for those who have taken time to put their learning and thoughts down on paper.  So that others like me can gain insight into the Scriptures.  We can learn so much from Godly teachers.

Next week I am going to look at the blessings found in spending time in the Word of God.  I pray you will take time and realize that our Sovereign and Mighty God is wanting to touch our hearts and lives through His Word.  We must allow these ancient words to permeate and influence our daily walk with Him.  May we all spend more time with our Father by hearing His holy words!

May God bless you richly!