People everywhere are looking for a message from above. Some light a candle and go to prayer, waiting for a word from on high to penetrate their inner conscience. Others go to nature and commune with the outdoors hoping to receive some type of supernatural insight from their “one-ness” with nature. In many ways and means, people continue to desire to know God and hear from Him. It is built into our fabric as human beings, as we are all made in God’s image and are designed to be in communion with Him. While many claim to “hear” from God, does God really speak to us today and can we really know that God is the one speaking? Of course, the answer is a resounding “YES!” – but probably not in the way you are thinking. God has told us that He speaks to us today exclusively through His Word, the Bible.

This week on the capitol steps in Harrisburg the first-ever Bible reading marathon is taking place. People from all over the state will be taking turns to read the entire Bible around the clock from cover to cover. Why is this so significant? Well, the Bible has some unique promises that no other book can claim.

The Bible Convicts – Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” That is something that no other book can claim. The words of the Bible are inspired by the Holy Spirit and applied by that same spirit to people’s hearts and lives. It is designed to be a book that cuts down the external barriers we have put up around us and expose us for who we really are before God. It is designed to be a mirror by which we can see ourselves in the same way God sees us. That is true conviction.

The Bible Converts – The Bible is designed to transform our lives from the dead sinners we are by nature into the living saints that we are meant to be in a relationship with God. Of course this conversion comes by faith. We are born again by God’s grace and through our faith. Romans 10:17 tells us that, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” You can’t just be a person who “has faith” without knowledge of what God wants you to place your faith in (namely, the work of Jesus Christ). So in this way the Bible becomes the starting point and basis for our faith.

The Bible is a Compass – Just like a good compass always points north, the Bible always points to God’s absolute truth. Our culture rejects much of the unchanging moral nature of how God expects us to conduct our lives. Our nation was founded on these principles found in God’s Word. At one time we displayed the ten commandments in courtrooms and allowed Bible reading in our schools. Daniel Webster (of Webster’s Dictionary fame) once said that “Education is useless without the Bible.” Yet while we have drifted from these values, the message of 2 Timothy 3:16 remains the same: “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We need to point our culture back to God’s absolute and unchanging moral truth. That only comes by exposing them to what the Bible has to say.

Now, I don’t know what will become of this event to read the entire Bible on the capitol steps. I don’t expect a great spiritual awakening of our legislators. I don’t expect masses of people to react in the same way as the people of Nineveh did when they heard Jonah’s message of repentance. However, I do believe that the Bible is the starting point for any hope of a positive change in our society. It’s message still convicts people of their sin and transforms lives through faith. It is the absolute moral compass that we need back in our government, our schools, our communities, our homes, and our lives as individuals. No, I’m not really sure what to expect, but I know what to believe and I believe God is still able to do mighty things according to His will through His Word. For when the Bible is read, God speaks.