When we stand out under the night sky and look up into the vastness of the stars, we see evidence of greatness far beyond ourselves. There is no place on the face of the earth in which men and women have not heard the declaration of God’s existence through the magnificent voice of creation.

Psalm 19:1-4 details: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

Where does our instruction even come from? It should come from the inspired words from God Himself.

However, belief in the existence of God is not sufficient on its own. That’s why the Psalmist continues his thought by emphasizing the usefulness of written instruction for the conversion of our very souls: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

While seeing God through His creation is proof enough to render unbelief inexcusable, it cannot give us the road map to the eternal gift of salvation. Without a way to clearly direct our paths, we waste precious time wandering. After spending my youth knowing there was a God but refusing to give myself to His Word, I finally came to a crossroads.  A crossroads of consequences that came as a result of not allowing God’s influence in my life.

I was spiritually dead. But I resolved that my life would not remain in that darkened state. And it was through Scripture that I would begin to be united with a great light to lead me out of the darkness.

Matthew spoke of the same great light which comes with the good news of salvation: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

The book of understanding

Like no other book, the Bible proves that God understands us—and our human nature! He’s seen it all! Jesus Christ lived as a human and “was in all points tempted as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). The Scriptures relate to our lives very closely, either with experiences we’ve had in the past or what we are going through now.

You may be feeling hopeless about your mistakes, but the Bible tells us: “Do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

You may have found yourself headed for certain disaster in your relationships, but the Bible gives you a place to start: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

Scripture leads to salvation

As a young man, Timothy was instructed by Paul of the very purpose of Scripture: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

The supreme instrument that God uses in equipping His people for salvation is His Word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  

Do you want good work in your future? If so, then it’s time to get equipped, by surrendering your heart and mind to God’s instruction through His Word. The Bible points the way to salvation through Jesus Christ and His atoning death as the Savior. It is our most valuable guidebook.

God has spoken

The Bible says that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, New International Version), and this is what gives it reliability and authority.

God used human authors in revealing His truth. While the Scriptures did not originate by the writers' own wills and inspiration, the process was not robotic, either. The men that God chose to write down His inspired words all wrote according to their own personalities, upbringing and surroundings.

But God gave them the inspiration to write, and He inspired those words to be preserved for us to read throughout many generations.

Foolishness to those who are perishing

Sadly many have rejected the value of scriptures and in so doing, have also rejected the many personalized messages that God would have used to help them find their way. Others value some teachings of God but try to find ways to wriggle out of whatever of God’s instructions are difficult or self-sacrificing.

For them, God inspired Peter with this forewarning: “For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,  by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:5-7).

Work out your own salvation

I knew that I needed to work out my “own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) and live like a man who was striving for it.

Scripture was the means by which I became spiritually alive. I opened the Bible and began to read that the God who has offered us salvation, has also called us to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1).

We must look to God’s Word to steady us for the journey ahead. We must all look to the Scriptures for daily guidance and pray, “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (Psalms 25:5).

Without a map and the compass, we easily lose ourselves on the journey. Without instruction, we lose the significance of just how much this journey matters. Where does our instruction even come from? It should come from the inspired words from God Himself. The Holy Scriptures are our guide to make us wise to seek the final destination of eternal life through faith which is in Christ Jesus.