The Bible: Indestructible And Eternal

THE HOLY BIBLE
Indestructible And Eternal

The Bible is unique. There is not another book like it. For some it is the most loved book, while for others it is the most hated of all volumes. Its opponents have banned it, burned it, and in centuries past have sent to the stake those who have sought to propagate it and live by its teachings. Yet, in spite of such hostility, which still continues in many countries, the Bible lives on.

Why does it seem so indestructible? The answer is simple: the Bible is God’s own Word, breathed out by Himself, yet penned by human instruments of His choosing. Second Timothy 3:16 clearly teaches the divine inspiration of Holy Scripture, for it states that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” Because it is God’s Word, it possesses inerrancy. In the words of a hymn by Haldor Lillenas: “The Bible stands every test we give it, for its Author is divine.” Translators may at times lack precision, but God’s Word, as originally given, is without fault or error.

Consider its own testimony for a moment. The Lord Jesus believed it and quoted it often. On one occasion He declared: “The Scripture cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35 KJV). In prayer to His Father, He acknowledged: “Thy Word is truth” (Jn.17:17). He also had such confidence in its indestructible nature that He could say: “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away” (Lk. 21:33). How amazing! When the universe is dissolved, His Word will remain unchanged – forever!

There is a poem about a man who, hearing the sound of a blacksmith at work one day, went into his shop. On the floor he noticed several battered hammers, worn out and no longer of any use. Interested, he asked the old blacksmith how many anvils had been used to wear out all those hammers. With a twinkle in his eye, the blacksmith replied, “Just one! The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.” The answer given by the blacksmith prompted the poet to compare the anvil with the Bible which has been pounded by critics for centuries. The final verse of his poem reads:

“Just so – I thought – the anvil of God’s Word For ages skeptic blows have beat upon; Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.”

Centuries before, Isaiah wrote: “The word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isa. 40:8). The longest psalm, which has much to say about God’s Word, tells us: “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). It goes far beyond the realm of man – and being established in heaven, man’s efforts to destroy it will always be in vain! Haldor Lillenas wrote:

“The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can. The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.”

Praise God for giving us such a foundation – reliable, indestructible, and eternal!

By Martin Girard