2 Peter 1:21 (NIV): For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Over the years I have enjoyed reading a good book. Recently I completed reading the book, Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxas. Metaxas detailed the life of a Lutheran minister during the rise of the Nazis and into World War II. Bonhoeffer was killed as a result of being involved with a plot to kill Hitler. It was so interesting to hear how Bonhoeffer came to a decision to be involved.
That was a good book by a human author, but it was not divinely inspired. The Bible is different.
Throughout the pages of the Bible there are many different genres of writing. There is history, law, poetry, prophecy, and even letters of correspondence. Each genre requires different approaches to how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible to my life.
Every page of the Bible claims to be something beyond human authorship. The above verse spells is out very well. The authors, “though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” In other words, the Bible claims to be something special. The words are supernatural.
To ignore the Bible, and the words it contains, is to ignore the special revelation God has given me. Without this special revelation, I would be left with guessing about God based on His creation. Well, I can see from those who ignore the Bible how that has developed over time. For those who ignore God’s word, there is no foundation for truth, for morality, or for ethics. Anything goes.
Every year, I start again, reading the Bible cover to cover. The Bible is full of such a variety of writings, yet there is a consistency that can only be explained through the supernatural influence upon the authors. I commit, fresh and new today, to embrace God’s word with an expectation of God’s supernatural revelation. May the Holy Spirit direct me, even as He directed the biblical authors.
Prayer: Father in heaven, as I continue to read Your word, Your special revelation, may I find Your truth and apply that truth to how I live today.
