Scripture: The Plumb Line of Life

Scripture is the the plumb line of life. Meaning, the only unfailing standard of truth and morality. It was spoken by God Himself to the Prophets and scribes. God and His Word are One.

” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”(John 1:1-3 NIV)

These verses remind us that the Word of God is not separate from God Himself. From the very beginning, Scripture points us to Jesus Christ, who was present at creation and revealed throughout the entire Bible. Even the last book of the Bible states this: “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”(Rev 19:13 NKJV)

Therefore, if we believe in God, we must also believe in His Word. It is really that simple. Otherwise, we deceive ourselves if we claim to believe in Jesus, yet reject the very Scriptures that testify about Him.

Jesus Foreshadowed In Each Book of Old Testament

Genesis: Seed of the Woman
Exodus: Passover Lamb
Leviticus: High Priest
Numbers: Bronze Serpent
Deuteronomy: Prophet Like Moses
Joshua: Captain of Salvation
Judges: Deliverer and Judge
Ruth: Kinsman Redeemer
1 Samuel: Anointed King
2 Samuel: Son of David
1 Kings: Wise King
2 Kings: Reigning King
1 Chronicles: Glory of Israel
2 Chronicles: Restorer of the Kingdom
Ezra: Faithful Scribe
Nehemiah: Rebuilder of Broken Walls
Esther: Protector of His People
Job: Living Redeemer
Psalms: Good Shepherd
Proverbs: Wisdom of God
Ecclesiastes: Meaning of Life
Song of Solomon; Beloved Bridegroom
Isaiah: Prince of Peace
Jeremiah: Righteous Branch
Lamentations: Man of Sorrows
Ezekiel: Son of Man
Daniel: Fourth Man in the Fire
Hosea: Faithful Husband
Joel: Baptizer with the Holy Spirit
Amos: Burden Bearer
Obadiah: Mighty Savior
Jonah: Risen Prophet
Micah: Ruler from Bethlehem
Nahum Avenger of God’s Elect
Habakkuk: Holy One
Zephaniah: Mighty to Save
Haggai: Desire of All Nations
Zechariah: Pierced Son
Malach:i Sun of Righteousness

Read Scripture With Eyes Of Faith

When I began to read Scripture with eyes of faith, I started to believe every story in the Old Testament. When I came across the verse of Scripture mentioning where Noah’s Ark rested after the flood- I was convinced. The Holy Spirit convicted me of it’s truth.

The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible.”(Gen 8:3-5 NIV)

These verses led me to do some research. I found in the September 1960 issue of Life Magazine, an aerial photograph of Mt. Ararat showing a boat-like shape protruding beneath the earth. The photo was reportedly taken in 1959 by an Army captain and excavated several years later. See here.

Equally important, I looked into the parting and crossing of the Red Sea. Coral formations resembling chariot wheels were discovered at the bottom of the Red Sea. Many, believe these point to the biblical account. To me, this is just some of evidence the Lord has left for all to see.

Beyond these discoveries, we also have the Bible-the best-selling book of all time-left for us to read and study. All we truly need is faith in Jesus to receive the Holy Spirit who becomes our interpreter of Scripture. Our lives can be forever changed with an open heart and a quiet place to read Scripture.

How To Read Scripture

Many people wonder how to begin reading Scripture. There are countless “Bible in a year” plans available, but my suggestion is to find your own pace based on your personal spiritual needs.

When I first began, I used a one-page devotional by Charles Stanley. Each devotional included a passage of Scripture along with practical applications for daily life. His teaching style was so clear and approachable that, although I was only supposed to read one devotional a day, I often found myself reading through half the month at a time. I would look up the referenced Scriptures and study the commentary notes in my Bible along the way.

Personally, I do not recommend the “Bible in a year” approach for everyone. Too often, it can become another item on our to-do list rather than something we genuinely hunger and thirst for. When we read the Bible because we desire to understand it, the motivation is entirely different. I remember rushing to my reading chair after dropping my girls off at grade school, because I was eager to pick up where I had left off. It was not something I had to do, but desired to do within my soul.

Once you begin to experience the goodness of God through His Word, it becomes something you long for each day.

The Bible Needs No Defense

The Bible needs no defense, it defends itself. If we only pick it up with an open heart, we will recognize the truth within its pages. Those of us who have endured painful seasons in life and have found solace in Scripture, seem to be more eager to talk about it. These individuals and their testimonies can be found everywhere; in books, podcasts, blogs and even professional athletes and actors talk about the life changing effects of coming to Christ and reading the Bible.

In this world of instant information at our fingertips, there is no excuse to not pick up some form of Scripture to read. And this best selling book is still changing lives today- will yours be next?

Food For Thought,

Lisa