Note what Christ taught about the inspiration of the Old Testament: 1. Its entirety; the whole of the Bible is inspired (Matt. 4:4; 5:17-18). In Matthew 4:4, Jesus responded to Satan’s temptation by affirming verbal plenary inspiration when He said, man is to live by every word (plenary) that proceeds out of the mouth of God (inspiration). In Matthew 5:17-18, Christ promised that the entire Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, would be fulfilled, not abolished. In fact, He declared that not even the smallest Hebrew letter, the yodh, which looks like an apostrophe (‘), or stroke of a letter, a small distinguishing extension or protrusion of several Hebrews letters (cf. the extension on the letter R with it absence on the letter P), would pass away until all is fulfilled. Christ’s point is that it is all inspired and true and will be fulfilled. 2. Its historicity; He spoke of the Old Testament in terms of actual history. Adam and Eve were two human beings, created by God in the beginning, who lived and acted in certain ways (Matt. 19:3-5; Mark 10:6-8). He spoke of Jonah and his experience in the belly of the great fish as an historical event (Matt. 12:40). He also verified the events of the flood in Noah’s day along with the ark (Matt. 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-27). He verified God’s destruction of Sodom and the historicity of Lot and his wife (Matt. 10:15; Luke 17:28-29). These are only a few illustrations; many others exist. 3. Its reliability; because it is God’s word, the Scripture must be fulfilled (Matt. 26:54). 4. Its sufficiency; it is sufficient to witness to the truth of God and His salvation (Luke 16:31). 5. Its indestructibility; heaven and earth will not pass away until it is all fulfilled. Nothing can stop its fulfillment (Matt. 5:17-18). 6. Its unity; the whole of the Bible speaks and witnesses to the person and work of Christ (Luke 24:27, 44). 7. Its inerrancy; men are often in error, but the Bible is not; it is truth (Matt. 22:29; John 17:17). 8. Its infallibility; the Bible cannot be broken, it always stands the test (John 10:35).
J. Hampton Keathley

THE STILL HOUR

Far from my thoughts, vain world, be gone,
Let my religious hours alone:
Fain would my eyes my Saviour see,
I wait a visit. Lord, from Thee.

A Christian must he often alone with God. Our Saviour often withdrew from the multitude, and even from the company of His disciples, that He might commune with
His Heavenly Father. He is our example.
As far as possible have a place where your regular prayers “are wont to be made.”Time will make that place solemn, sacred, and pleasant to you. Though our
Saviour prayed elsewhere, yet, when in Jerusalem, He “was wont” to pass his devotional hours in Gethsemene. He felt the power of locality.

Pray at regular times.
If not seven times a day, like David, Ps. cxix. 164.
At least three times a day, like Daniel, Dan. vi. 10.
If not at length, like Solomon, I Kings viii. 22-53.
At least with brevity, like the Publican, Luke xviii. 13.
If not all night, like Christ, Luke vi. 12
At least evening and morning.

Pray in a reverent position.
Pray in a devout frame of mind.
When alone, pray in an audible voice.
Besides your regular times of devotion, cultivate the
habit of what is called ejaculatory prayer. That is, accustom yourself at all times, and in all places, to lift up your heart to God in brief sighs or sentences. This you can do when you walk, or rest, when you work by day or wake at night, alone or in company. Do this especially when you suspect danger or temptation nigh.
Read the Scriptures with your regular devotions.
When alone sing a hymn with your prayers.
Let self-examination be part of your exercises in the still hour.
Meditate before you pray, and also at proper pauses during your prayer. Meditation is necessary to incite in your heart the spirit of prayer, and to make it devout and hearty.
Pray with a forgiving spirit. “Forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you.”
Pray in faith. “What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Every right prayer is certainly answered, though it may not be at the time you think, nor in the way you desire.
Pray in the name of Jesus. “Whatsoever ye shall ask
in My name, that I will do.”
“No man cometh unto the Father hut by Me.”