God’s Medicine Bag

A man took his wife to see the doctor, and as he was sitting in the waiting room, he saw the doctor come rushing out, asking if someone had a screwdriver. He returned to the exam room with the screwdriver, but a few minutes later, he came running out again and asked for a pair of pliers. The man was getting concerned at this point. Moments later, the doctor came out and asked if anyone had a hammer.
Unable to stand it any longer, the husband said, “Doctor, what is going on in there? What is wrong with my wife?”
“I don’t know,” the doctor replied. “I can’t get my medical bag open.”
When it comes to our Bibles, the same is true for a lot of people. They know it has the potential to examine and diagnose our problems but they haven’t even opened them.
In The Message paraphrase of Hebrews 4.12 we read, “God means what He says. What He says goes.  His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defence, laying us open to listen and obey.”
PRESCRIPTION FOR LIFE
If we want to discover what’s wrong with our lives and what is wrong with the world.  If we want to find the cure and the prescription for life we have to open our Bibles.
The book of Joshua says that if we want to have strong and wholesome lives we have to read and study and meditate on God’s Word.  “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you.”  Joshua 1.8 (NLT)
There are many people searching for meaning and direction in their lives.  They need to realize that God’s word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our paths. (Ps 119.105) and God has promised to guide us along the best pathway for our lives and He will advise us and teach us in the way we should go.  (Psalm 32.8)
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE WORD
Reading the Bible is not a dull academic experience.  It provides food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and rest for the weary. As Jeremiah made clear, “When I discovered your words, I devoured them.  They are my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jer 15.16 NLT)
The very first Psalm reminds us that the person who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it will be like trees planted along the riverbank – well-fed and well-nourished.  Trees that regularly bear fruit and trees whose leaves are garden-fresh and crisp.
So if you want to be a radiant, fruitful and flourishing Christian there is a simple prescription – read, study and meditate upon God’s Word regularly, consistently and persistently. It will transform and revolutionise your life.  It will change you from a whiner to a winner; from a loser to a leader, and from a failure to a front-runner.
The Bible is the most amazing and unique book. As Napoleon said “This no mere book but it is a living creature with the power to conquer all that would oppose it”.  To know it is to love it. To love it is to accept it and to accept it means life eternal.