Thy word hath quickened me. Psalm 119:50 KJV
We in the twenty-first century have the benefit of written Scripture in our modern vernacular and thousands of years of commentators. But to people who had no Bible and only inherited stories, the audible words of God, the clouds of glory, and supernatural wonders were awesome! (Even in this age of special effects and computer-generated imagery, we are still struck by the power of an earthquake, hurricane, or flash flood.)
Noah and Abraham acted on God’s audible command. Job trusted without comfort of Scripture. Moses led millions before he wrote the Pentateuch. David’s and Solomon’s subjects didn’t have much Scripture (only Moses’ books), because most of the psalms, wisdom, prophecy, and historical chronicles were compiled and edited during the Exile to Babylon and Assyria and thereafter.
It’s easy for us to say, “Those stiff-necked people should have studied their Bibles and known better than to disobey God.” Their Scriptures were hand-copied on sheepskin or metal scrolls, and were expensive and in short supply.
Do we treasure our Bibles? We do. We have several versions on the shelf, our favorite at our bedside, and one in the car to take to church or just have on hand when needed. We have www.BibleGateway.com bookmarked on the computer. There’s no shortage of the Word of God—now.
But “the days are coming, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12 NIV
There is life-giving bread, satisfying water, and a healing touch, though. “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” Psalm 119:50 KJV
Quickened. That’s “conceived” or “brought to life,” and we can all use that. God’s Word produces eternal life in all of us. So close this article right now and open your Bible, or click over to BibleGateway. You need to fill your life with eternal life!
