Whenever we see the Word of God presenting a certain thing to us in a whole variety of ways, then we are to understand that it is a very important thing that we are being told about.
This is especially true of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and whether or not anyone has ever calculated the number of “figures” and titles, etc., by which Christ is presented to us in the Bible, I cannot say, but they must be legion. Isaac Watts, in one of his very extended hymns, makes some attempt along this way:- “Is He compared to Wine or Bread?” “Is He a Tree? The church receives.” “Is He the Head? Each member lives.” “Is He a Fire? He’ll purge my dross.” Is He a Star? He breaks my night;” and so on for eighteen verses of priceless poetry concerning Christ. But he begins his hymn with his conclusion:-
“The whole creation can afford But some faint shadows of my Lord.”
Because the Lord Jesus Christ is so important to our never-dying souls, so the Word of God presents Him to us in every conceivable way possible, in order that we might realise the sufficiency of Christ for us in all things.
Now, the written Word of God is exactly the same, and this is not surprising because “these are they which testify of Him.” So, we find that the Bible itself speaks of itself in a whole variety of ways – each and every one of them calculated to meet some aspect of our spiritual life, in the course of the life we are called to live. As another hymn expresses it:-
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.”
So, the Word of God is presented to us, as a Lamp, and as a Light, and as Armour, and as a Sword, and as Meat, and as Milk – and on, and on, and on. As another verse of that hymn says:-
“In every condition – in sickness, in health, In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth.”
“In every condition;” that is a tremendous expression of absolute confidence in the Word of the living God; to believe that there is not one condition, or circumstance, or occurrence that overtakes me in this life, but that the Word of God cannot supply the required tool, or ingredient, or weapon, or sustenance necessary for that event.
The old (as so far as we know, anonymous) summary of what the bible does, and performs, and so forth cannot be bettered, and we simply repeat it here for the consideration of us all. May the Lord make it rich to our souls.
The Bible reveals 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 are unchangeable. 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 traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gate of Hell disclosed. Christ is its Grand Subject, our good its 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 in the judgment, and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labour, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.
Dear reader, if these things of “Jesus and His Word” be “for us” who can be “against us?”