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The Bible Points the Way

-Dr. J. Vernon McGee, from "What to Do When Life is Hard"

The life of the believer is a journey. If you are a Christian, you are a stranger down here, a pilgrim in a foreign land. You feel that, don’t you? Then how are you to navigate these things throughout your life’s journey? You need a road map, a chart, a compass. You need something to point the way. Where do you find those things? Look to the remedy—God’s Word contains it all.

Do you believe that’s true? Let’s take a look at our specific needs and the Bible’s answer to each one.

Light in the darkness: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path … The entrance of Your words gives light" (Psalm 119:105, 130). The Bible is the only flashlight God has for you.

Bread to eat: Jesus quoted Moses when He told Satan, "Man shall not live by bread alone ….” We need bread for hungry souls. Not physical bread, " … but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Water: “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10, 11). The psalmist says “the river of God is full of water” (Psalm 65:9). You hold the river in your hand, and it's full of water. Have you drunk from it recently?

A way to keep clean: One of the most difficult things to do on a long trip is keep clean. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). There's water for bathing in the Word of God. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). “You are already clean,” our Lord said, “because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). Have you had your spiritual bath recently?

Protection: Paul said perilous times would come, and we need a defense. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

First aid kit: Are you wounded? Brokenhearted? The Bible has in it the balm of Gilead to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (see Psalm 147:3).

Companionship: Our modern society suffers from an epidemic of loneliness. The Word of God says, "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 13:6). May I say, you won't have a vision of the Lord Jesus today; He doesn't speak that way anymore. He speaks through God’s book. If you want His companionship and fellowship today, the way to get it is through His Word.

Hope: You’ll never complete the journey without this one thing. We need hope that tomorrow will be brighter. We need hope that at the end of this journey there is satisfaction and fullness of life. We get it, friend, right here in God’s Word: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Have confidence in the Bible, my beloved, and you will find in it all you need to face the hardships of life. “The Holy Scriptures … are able to make you wise for salvation,” Paul says. Just as with Timothy, a saving knowledge of Jesus as Savior must come first. But perilous times are coming, and these things characterizing the world seep into the hearts of Christians. How will you overcome these things? The remedy is right here in God’s Word, but you have to take the entire prescription—there’s no shortcut.

Your status as God’s child is secure, but are you “wise for salvation”? Does the Word of God work in your life to deliver you? Jesus offers, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). This is the only condition: Come to Jesus. Learn of Him and His ways in God’s book.

My Turn

Which of those eight descriptions of God’s Word resonates with you today? Have any of them come into view as you’ve studied God’s Word on the Bible Bus? Please share your story at [email protected] We look forward to hearing how God is at work.

Look over those eight descriptions again. Perhaps you’re praying right now for someone who could use this help. Spend a moment now, praying down the list.

Fill in their name, as you pray: 

• Father, _________ needs Your light in the darkness. Help them be wise and godly as they make that decision …
• Lord, __________ is hungry for You. Please satisfy them with the nourishing bread of Your Word.
• Use the water of Your Word to refresh and replenish __________’s spirit, Lord. They are weary and parched and need this from You.
• Lord, please use Your Word to help __________ keep clean. We all need a regular spiritual bath.
• I pray for _______ right now. They need a defense. Use Your Word in their life as protection.
• Father, ______ is wounded and brokenhearted. Use Your Word as a “first-aid kit” to bind them up.
• Lord, give ___________ a sense of companionship and fellowship today from Your Word. Remind them that they are not alone, but that You are with them.
• Father, please give ________ hope in You thattomorrow will be brighter. Give them satisfaction and fullness of life in You.