We have God’s completed Word, called the 66 books of the Bible, in our own language, small enough to be carried anywhere, in easy to read formats. We have more than those in previous generations could have dreamed of, but the great majority of individuals fail to see it’s worth. Most never bother to study it. Many that do, approach it with biased, pre-conceived ideas, therefore not allowing God’s Word to speak directly to them. God has given us a gift, made it available, yet most never bother opening the present.

In today’s reading, we read an amazing prophesy in Jer.25:11, "And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years." This is what sets our Book apart from every other book from every other religion. Our Bible is full of specific prophecy which has been fulfilled. In Daniel 9:2, Daniel doesn't wonder but approaches the prophecy with expectation, "in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem." (We read of the fulfillment of this prophesy in 2 Chronicles 36:20-23). Faithfully believing God’s Word was true, not allowing the improbability of the course of events to deter him, not allowing anyone else to steer him away from the Word, Daniel trusted and lived his life trusting God’s Word.

The Word of God is the Word of God. Many are faithful to teach it and lead others allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. But many have allowed society and the desire to remain “relevant” to contort Scripture or avoid talking about certain parts of Scripture. We read in Jeremiah 23:14, “Also I have seen a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem: They commit adultery and walk in lies; They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, So that no one turns back from his wickedness. All of them are like Sodom to Me, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah.” The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was a brazenness or complete lack of shame which accompanied their sinful behavior. We are seeing this with everything in our culture now. It has been normalized by society and accepted by many religious leaders who cherry pick the Scriptures who justify by using a verse here and a verse there, rather than using the totality of Scripture. Like that little bird preparing her nest, may we diligently take hold of our Bibles and study and apply from cover to cover, opening our eyes to our Savior who has already paid the price for our eternal home and has already sent out the invitations to any who will choose to accept.