By Dr. John D. DeBrine

The photo below is of a church destroyed by the Serbs and Muslims in Northeast Bosnia. Let it be a reminder that there is no permanence in that which man erects! In contrast, we have that wonderful text of permanence in Psalm 119:89: "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven."

Let me suggest a guide to help you understand this great text. Right now pray the prayer of Psalm 119:18 and ask God to speak to you through this passage.

I. THE PROOF OF PERMANENCE

Our text begins with the word "forever", which in the Hebrew suggests a great distance from the reader. Often, God will take us to something we easily grasp in order to teach a truth. For example, when God wants to demonstrate that He will never go back on His promises to Israel, He says: "Count the sands at the seashore. Let me know when you complete this and then I'll overturn my promise to Israel."

"I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted." (Genesis 32:12)

Of course we are not able to do this, nor can we simply allegorize the text. The Apostle Paul understood this clearly and as a result he gave us Romans 11:1-2: "I ask then: Did God reject His people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah how he appealed to God against Israel."

We have a similar approach in Psalm 119:89-90. The Psalmist states, "God established the earth and it abides (stands)." In other words, take a look at the earth. It has been around for awhile! Think in those terms when you open your Bible.

Ignoring the notion of biblical permanence, man has tried to destroy the Bible. Thomas Paine, writing 200 years ago in "The Age of Reason" said: "I have shown in all the foregoing parts of this work, that the Bible and the New Testament are impositions and forgeries; and I leave the evidence I have produced in proof of it to be refuted if anyone can do it and I leave the ideas that are suggested in the conclusion of the work to rest on the mind of the reader; certain as I am that when opinions are free, either in matters of government or religion, truth will finally and powerfully prevail" (Secaucus, NJ: Citadel, 1974, pg. 190).

Thomas Paine felt that his arguments would destroy the Bible forever. However, he is dead and his book has relatively vanished, but the Word of God remains. I love the quote by H.L. Hastings: "Infidels with all their assaults, make about as much impression on the Book as a man with a tack hammer would make on the Pyramids of Egypt."

Incidentally, this is a good time to concentrate on the word "settled" in our text "Forever O Lord, Your Word is settled...." The word means to "stand firm" and you have a participle in the Hebrew which stresses continuity, i.e., now tomorrow forever.

That also tells us that we must never substitute anything for the Word of God. This Hebrew participle completely demolishes the mindset that wants to make the church service culturally relevant by substituting for solid Bible exposition!

II. THE AUTHOR OF PERMANENCE.

"Forever O Lord," states Psalm 119:89. To appreciate this, go to Colossians 1:15-16: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by Him and for Him."

Here we see the God of Psalm 119:89 described in detail:

1. The Originator of all things.

2. The Builder of all things.

3. The Owner of all things.

4. The Predecessor of all things.

5. The Sustainer of all things.

Aren't you glad Psalm 119:89 says not "O man" but "O, Lord"? The Word of God really comes to life when you recognize that God is the Author and realize that the Author is present when you read and study it. In view of that, consider this:

Early twentieth century American evangelist Billy Sunday wrote, "Years ago, with the Holy Spirit for my guide, I entered this wonderful temple that we call Christianity. I entered through the portico of Genesis and walked down through the Old Testament's art gallery, where I saw the portraits of Joseph, Jacob, Daniel, Moses, Isaiah, Solomon and David hanging on the wall; I entered the music room of the Psalms and the Spirit of God struck the keyboard of my nature until it seemed to me that every reed and pipe in God's great organ of nature responded to the harp of David, and the charm of King Solomon in his moods. I walked into the business house of Proverbs. I walked into the observatory of the prophets and there saw photographs of various sizes, some pointing to far-off stars or events all concentrated upon one great Star which was to rise as an atonement for sin. Then I went into the audience room of the King of Kings, and got a vision from four different points from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I went into the correspondence room and saw Peter, James, Paul and Jude, penning their epistles to the world. I went into the Acts of the Apostles and saw the Holy Spirit forming the Holy Church, and then I walked into the throne room and saw a door at the foot of a tower and going up, saw One standing there, fair as the morning, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and I found this truest friend that man ever knew; when all were false I found Him true. In teaching me the way of life, the Bible has taught me the way to live, it taught me how to die." Billy Sunday Speaks, Karen Gullen, ed., Chelsea House, NY, pp. 23-24.

III. THE CREDENTIAL OF PERMANENCE.

Our text reads, "settled in Heaven." This idea of height connotes superiority and the fact that God's thoughts are infinitely higher than man's thoughts. Since the best commentary on the Bible is the Bible, read Isaiah 55:8-11: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth. So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

APPLICATION

In view of our text, there is really nothing that I can do for you that will have greater benefit than II Timothy 4:2: "Preach the Word: be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction."

Because of the convincing message of Psalm 119:89-90, this year began with Dave Donnelly (Songtime's Ministry and Production Assistant), taking the Word of God on cassette to Bosnia. Lord willing, and with your prayer and support, this ministry will continue to have an impact throughout 1997 with those service personnel who remain there and those who come home. Because of our text, such an effort is a lasting investment and it is the reason Chaplain Matt Woodberry is quoting the Bible at the service pictured above. This service was a break from filling sand bags to improve defenses. The altar is the hood of the army vehicle.

This ministry continues on only because of the permanence of the Word of God. (For proof that the Bible is the Word of God, read the commentary on the next page.)