THE BIBLE-A Textbook for Living

A Book That Gives Purpose

The Author of the Bible, Jehovah God, is 'familiar with all our ways.'  He knows more about our  physical, emotional and spiritual needs than even we do.  (Psalm 139:1-3)  Thoughtfully, he sets clear limits for human behavior.  (Micah 6:8) It makes sense to seek to understand those limits and directions and learn to live by them.  Happy is the man whose "delight is in the law of Jehovah," says the psalmist.  "Everything he does will succeed."  (Psalm 1:1-3)  Such a prospect surely merits our examination.

Maurice, a retired schoolteacher, always believed that the Bible had some historical and literary value.  Yet, he was skeptical about its being divinely inspired.  After listening to an explanation of why God gave his written Word to humans, Maurice examined various Bible prophecies.  As a young man, he had studied ancient history, literature, science and geography.  He admits that he was too clever in his own eyes to see the numerous examples in support of the Bible's authenticity.  "I was caught up in the blind race for ease, wealth and the pleasures of life.  Unfortunately,  I remained uninformed and ignorant to the beauty and veracity of the greatest book ever written."

Now in his 70's, Maurice, alluding to the account about Jesus' appearance to the apostle Thomas, says appreciatively:   "My hand has been guided to the 'bleeding wound' which will forever banish from my mind all doubt that the Bible is anything but the truth."  (John 20:24-29)  As the apostle Paul rightly said, the Bible exposes the intentions of the heart, and it gives meaning to life.  It is truly a textbook for living.

Next time: Adding Stability to a Troubled Life

Watchtower, 2000