The Bible
This past Thursday, June 24 Christian actor Denzel Washington was interviewed on Instagram Live by Brooklyn Pastor A.R Bernard of Christian Cultural Center.
“After all is said and done,” Denzel concluded, “I want to be in that number! I just want to be in that number when the saints go marching in. I want more than anything else in my life to be in that number.”
As the two chatted, each from their separate locations, they mentioned the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on all the citizens of the planet. How physical distancing and self-isolation have forced humanity — all of humanity — to consider their need for God. Though some just became all the more frantic, many paused to, as scripture has long enjoined, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
In the interview Denzel testified to the meaninglessness of temporal accomplishments, worldly wealth and fleeting fame. What really matters is our relationship with God and the legacy of faith which we leave. Nothing temporal will go with us into eternity.
The Word of God is also eternal. By this I obviously do not mean our physical Bibles, but the eternal Word of God which is “forever… settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
Isaiah pronounced “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8). David sang “Every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.” (Psalm 119:160). In all three of the synoptic gospels Jesus taught “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33). Peter echoed “But the word of the Lord endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:25).
The spoken Word of God was implemental in creation: “And God said…” (Gen. 1:3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24), and It was the stated Word of God that Satan challenged: “Did God really say…” (Gen. 3:1). It is the Word of God that was made flesh in Christ and walked among us:
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
It is the Word of God that will keep us from sin:
“I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11). (See also Matt. 4:1-11)
And it is the Word of God to which you can cling is these days of turbulence.
“For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.” (Heb. 4:12-13).
In the back of one of our discipleship resource books there are lists of various scriptures to help the believer stay focussed amid a variety of trials. Similar resources exist online and in scripture tracts and in many Study Bibles. The Word of God is foundational. Get to know it, and Him, well, as Paul urged young Timothy,
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Submit to the Word’s incisive blade, rest on its promises, be nourished by its life-giving bread and grow strong as you move from its milk to its meat.
Press on…
View the 33 min. interview with Denzel Washington here.
thebrokenrunner 
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