You don't have to be a scholar to prove
that the Bible is inspired You don't need to be an expert in the Greek
or Hebrew languages. It isn't necessary to spend hundreds of hours in
historical or archaeological research
Don't misunderstand! These tools are useful in fine tuning unclear
passages or supporting biblical claims. But there is a more practical.
down to earth way to absolutely prove to yourself that the Bible is the
authoritative Word of God. All it takes is prayer and a simple,
real faith in the living
God who stands behind His Word.
The importance of prayer
How can prayer prove the Bible?
God methodically and accurately thought His Word out even before He
created the world or man. He knew long before how He would handle every
situation that would arise.
Before He made man. God assumed the responsibility of taking care of
man's needs, Jesus assured His disciples, "Your Father knoweth what
things ye have need of. before ye ask him" (Matt 6:8) This provision
for mans needs is reflected in the Bible's promises God repeatedly
challenges us to try Him. to test Him, to unquestionably prove that His
Word is absolute (Mal. 3:10).He says to "Prove all things; hold
fast that which is good" (I Thess. 5:21).
As we act on God's word — as He pray and receive answers —
we will experience that God's word is true. The Bible works because God
infuses His power to make it work. As God said in Isaiah 55:11: "So
shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return
unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
There is power in the Word of God and His "exceeding great and precious
promises" (II Pet. 1:4) The inspiration of the Bible is proved by God
making His promises come to pass.
And whether God is fulfilling prophecy or answering our personal
prayers, the principle is the same. The Bible's inspiration is being
proven.
If God can foresee thousands of years in advance and make prophecy come
to pass, then surely He is able to see into our personal futures for
one day, two weeks or three months. And He can make our requests come
to pass in the same way He makes prophecy stand.
Prayer molds us
Prayer is important in proving the Bible's inspiration for the direct,
personal effect it can have on us. God literally uses our prayers to
help us develop His mind and altitude.
Research indicates that man's speech and thought emanate from the same
center. So when a person prays, he activates his thinking processes
(Try speaking without thinking, and you will understand how the
principle works.) When a person believes the Bible and prays with all
his heart, God's thoughts enter and work in his mind. The human mind
becomes saturated with God's mind:
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what
is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his
power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power" (Eph. 1:17-19).
It is a marvelous process. Prayer turns on power in the mind, It allows
God's Spirit to flow — like completing a circuit — as the
human mind reaches out to God
Requires patience
Because God's character upholds His Word, we can take the Bible for
what it says, believe it and act on it with perfect confidence.
However, the fulfillment of prayer often requires time —a patient
waiting on God. David wrote. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for
him" (Ps 37:7).
This is an area where we frequently fall short. We don't always realize
that God's answers frequently take time to be accomplished. God is
working out a purpose in human life and He is not doing a hasty,
makeshift job. We need not become suspicious, impatient or troubled
when God doesn't answer right away. There is never a reason to doubt
the promises of God. Since God knows what we need before we ask Him. He
also knows exactly when and how to answer.
The best answer may take several days, weeks or months But if we become
worried, we must press for an answer too soon or give up on God
altogether and try to solve our problems our own way. We then lose
faith and God's blessings as well We need to patiently trust Him as He
carries out His promises for us.
The inspiration of God's Word can be proven by prayer When we
communicate with God — when we believe and act on His Word and
see its effect in our lives - we unleash the power of God. That power
is in the Bible (Heb. 4.12).
Prayer makes this Word a living reality in our lives!
by Richard Rice reprint from the Good News December 1980
