Now, here's the most compelling reason of all to make this book your life authority: when we trust it, God uses it to change our lives. His word "will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (v. 11).

What is his purpose for his revelation?

It leads us to salvation: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

It keeps us right with God: "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

It guides us daily: "How can a man keep his way pure? By living according to your word" (Psalm 119.9); "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119.105).

It brings us to Jesus: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20.31).

It still works.

St. Augustine was the greatest theologian after Paul in Christian history. But he was a notoriously adulterous sinner when he picked up the Bible one day, read it, and gave his heart to the Lord Jesus. Martin Luther was converted by studying the Bible, and began the Protestant Reformation. He read through the Bible twice every year, for most of the rest of his life.

Bill Tolar was dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Seminary when I studied and then taught there. A brilliant science student as a youth, from a family with no church commitment whatsoever, he was challenged by a friend to read the Bible. And he became a Christian.

Dr. Isaac Mwase is professor of philosophy of religion at Ouachita Baptist University, and a former student of mine. Reading the Bible brought him to faith in Christ. Dr. Abraham Sarkar of our own church family was a Muslim missionary before reading the Bible made him a missionary to Muslims.

The American Bible Society tells the story of a missionary standing on the streets of a small African city with a tiny New Testament in his hand. An African man asked if he could have the little book, explaining that "Its pages are the perfect size for rolling cigarettes." The missionary replied, "I will give you this book if you will promise to read every word on each page before you roll a cigarette with it." The African agreed. Fifteen years later that missionary went to a revival. The evangelist was that cigarette-rolling man who said, "I quit smoking the Word and started preaching it."

But God's revelation changes us only when we read it. Nine out of ten American households own at least one Bible. But only 17% read it daily. Do you spend more time with the newspaper or the word of God?

And only when we obey it.

Billy Graham asserts, "Ninety-five percent of the difficulties you will experience as a Christian can be traced to a lack of Bible study and reading." That's been true of my life.

When we obey the word of God, we submit to the will of the King of the universe. Such obedience positions us to experience the salvation and significance he can only give to those who will receive them. Obedience is our response to the revelation of God. And the key to the purpose and peace he alone can give.