In today's increasingly secular, allegedly post-Christian world it has become fashionable to politely , and sometimes not so politely, mock the Bible as a source of reliable authority. It is viewed by some as irrelevant, intolerant, narrow, or unscientific.
The truth is quite the opposite, at least in terms of a world view*. The Bible addresses virtually every conceivable area of human experience. It not only offers a promise of eternal salvation to every one trusting in Jesus Christ, but it also offers promises to:
· the broken hearted - Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3, and Isaiah 61:3.
· the cheerful in heart - Proverbs 15:13, Proverbs 15:15, and Proverbs 17:22.
· the diligent - Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 12:24, and Proverbs 21:5.
· the discerning - Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 14:33, and Proverbs 19:25.
· the disciplined - Psalm 94:12, Proverbs 10:17, and Proverbs 12:1.
· the faithful - II Samuel 22:26, Psalm 31:23, and Proverbs 28:20.
· the generous - Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 11:25, and Proverbs 22:9.
· the humble - II Samuel 22:28, Psalm 25:9, and James 4:6.
· the kind - Proverbs 11:16 and Proverbs 11:17.
· the merciful - Proverbs 3:3:4 and Matthew 5:7.
· the oppressed - Psalm 9:9, Psalm 103:6, and Luke 4:18.
· the fatherless and widowed - Deuteronomy 10:18, Psalm 68:5, and Proverbs 15:25.
· the peacemakers - Matthew 5:9 and James 3:18.
· the prudent women - Proverbs 19:14 and Proverbs 31:10-31.
· the pure - Psalm 18:26, Proverbs 22:11, and Matthew 5:8.
· those acting with integrity - I Kings 9:4-5, Proverbs 10:9, and Proverbs 13:6.
· those who are kind to animals - Proverbs 12:10.
· those who are kind to the poor, and have regard for the weak - Psalm 41:1,
Proverbs 14:21, and Proverbs 28:8.
· those who bless Christians and Jews - Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:14.
· those who delight in / meditate on the Word of God - Deuteronomy 11:18, Joshua
1:8, and Psalm 1:2-3.
· those who honor their father and mother - Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2-3.
· those who sacrifice - Proverbs 21:17 and Proverbs 21:20.
· those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness - Matthew 6:33.
· those who wait on God - Isaiah 40:31.
· those who listen well - Proverbs 18:13.
· those who serve others - Matthew 23:11, Galatians 6:2, and Ephesians 5:21
· those with positive and pleasant speech - Proverbs 16:21 and Proverbs 16:24.
With over 30,000 verses in the Bible, this is far from a comprehensive list of its beneficiaries. God's Word is the foundation for all wisdom.