When have we ever seen the like? In foreign affairs, domestic affairs, the natural world—things are really getting exciting, right? Hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts—is it just me, or does this seem worse than usual?  When things get this way, the natural “fight or flight” reactions tend to assert themselves. Resist! But how?  Flee! But where?

Let no man’s heart fail him. These are days of tribulation (though we aren’t as badly off as our fellow-believers in foreign lands), and we’ve always known they were on the way. If the intensity seems to be skyrocketing, so be it: we’ve been warned by Good Authority.

But better than being forewarned, we’ve been forearmed. In recent days I’ve been taking courage from just resting my faith on the immutable Word of God.  Just think of how Jesus put it on the Mount of Temptation: “IT IS WRITTEN!” That was all it took to drive Satan himself right out of the picture. Then, some time later, He threw in a little parenthesis which packed a similar punch: (John 10:35) “The Scripture cannot be broken.”  So what was He talking about? He was talking about the Bible.

The Bible is enough.  It’s enough for these days, just as it has been for all history. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God shall stand forever”! That was what Isaiah said. And before that he wrote, “All flesh is grass….” This is a good thing to keep in mind when some tyrant lifts his head and makes a lot of noise. Or when a tyrannical policy is handed down by the “experts.” Or when our national leaders seem almost cartoonishly wrong-headed.  Or when the economy fails. Those things are “flesh,” and that is going to wither. But not the Bible! That will stand forever.

Against all the external threats out there, we can always turn to the Scripture for solace and for ammunition: “God is our refuge… therefore will we not fear”! And hundreds more passages like that are all written down for our present needs. And they cannot be broken! Do we believe this? Of course we do. Then let’s not be troubled in these days. We are not driven by fear; we are servants of the Most High God, who has the whole world safely in His hands.

Back when I was a young man, we were encouraged to memorize something called “A Tribute to the Bible.” I gave it another look the other day, and it certainly is inspired. It’s true, too. So this evening, how about reviewing those words as we enter into rest. Then take a fresh look at the Good Old Book and feast on its absolute security.

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions 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 gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

God bless each one, right where you are tonight, with this assurance!