Blog Archive

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Day Twelve: Truth

"The Twelve Days of Christ" series looks at Psalm 119's twelve Hebrew words for God’s Word, and a connection to the church for each one.


“A proud man is always looking down on things and people;
and, of course, as long as you are looking down,
you cannot see something that is above you.”
~ C.S. Lewis


Day Twelve: Truth
'emeth (or 'emunah): fem noun, "stability, certainty, truth, faithfulness"
from 'aman: verb, "to support, confirm; to be true or faithful; to trust"
[related word: 'amen: adverb, "declaration 'may it be so'; truly"]

I have chosen the way of truth ['emunah] ...
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness
['emunah] You have afflicted me...
The entirety of Your word is truth
['emeth]
~ Psalms 119:30,75,160 (NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
~ John 8:32,36 (NKJV)

Though I knew I wanted to end this study with the word "truth," I had forgotten that from the same verb also comes the word "Amen"—a fitting way to conclude.

I am sorry to see the series come to an end. Today's word has been a particular delight to pick apart. Truth is intensely personal to me.

My search for the stability of Truth lasted many years. Too many teachings of Roman Catholicism rang false with me. I followed my father as he wandered into Eastern mysticism, and I became an adherent of astrology, tarot, numerology, dreamology, and psychics. Certainty remained elusive. I turned back to Catholicism. What it lacked in wholeness it made up for with the only thing I found reliable: worship Jesus as God.

My spirit restlessly continued the search for Truth. Then one fateful autumn day in 1985, I walked into a Protestant church and heard for the first time the Bible being preached as God's Word. The authority of Truth I heard awakened in my soul what I'd long sought. I do not wax poetic when I say it was love at first sight. I fell in love that day, and I fell hard.

Words now fail me. My eyes mist over. My throat is tight. My chest is racked with emotion. How can I describe my love affair with the Word? How do I explain the certainty in my heart for which I'd die before I'd doubt? What prose can convey the trust that consumes me when I read the Word and the Spirit breathes into me?

What sense can I make of the thrill and rush which come over me when I click on the keys for my computer Bible and I wait with anticipation for the program to open? Or of the comfort I feel to lay my head down upon a volume stamped "Holy Bible" in gilt letters?

If you didn't think me just a little ... different before today, you surely do now. I don't mind. I'm thoroughly addicted to the freedom and power of Truth, and have no desire for recovery.

The faithfulness and certainty in God's Word prove a worthy support in every affliction, question, and trial.


Thank You, my Lord. Thank You.

"I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn."
~ John Wesley


#Bible
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to
BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photograph "Colorado Rocky Mountains the San Juan Range" by Brendan Reals
from
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5 comments:

  1. I'm right there with you! Nothing more tantalizing and terrifying than the truth. I'm equally enamored by the life breath of God available in abundance through His word. I hold tight to every word looking for deeper meaning in the prose because I know if He will's it, it will be revealed. It's the only book I must have with me at all times, even if it's a book of promises tucked away in my purse. To call it a book is badly mislabeling it's value. It's more like the Holy Spirit in ink?

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  2. I love this post. First, your quest for Truth. What a remarkable story in this day and age, when truth is not truth at all, but is relative. I was sharing my faith with a young friend with whom I work. She's lukewarm, not a skeptic, but said to me, "Well, that's your truth." I think the biggest deception of our age is that we all get to establish our own truth depending on opinion, whim, circumstance, belief system. It's difficult to even address Truth as absolute, let alone find and embrace it. What a wonderful faith you've been given and built, Anne. What remarkable fruit you bear as a result.

    Second, emeth. May I tell a story you might enjoy? At meal times one of us prays, and then I read a chapter or so out of the Bible. (I read because I have an animated voice and can make the verses "come alive"). My husband makes me smile while I read. Through the reading, he either says or mumbles "uh-huh" or "mmmm-hmmm"....like "amen". Now I will imagine him saying "emeth" while I read...that's exactly what it sounds like he's saying. :)

    God bless you today, Anne. I loved this series too, but know the next posts will be equally engaging and rich.

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  3. What is Truth but a storm that washes away the world's empty promises.

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  4. I like your words ~ "The faithfulness and certainty in God's Word prove a worthy support in every affliction, question, and trial." ~ Yes, and amen!

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  5. T. Anne, I do so appreciate "The Holy Spirit in Ink." And having it with you at all times? If the Word is the Sword of the Spirit, I like to think of that little pocket Bible as a Derringer.

    Gwen, I'm just smiling all over. For what it's worth, of the two words above ('emeth and 'emunah), 'emunah is used more often in connection with the Lord and His faithfulness, while 'emeth is used more often with truth in general. So Scott can have a whole menu from which to select when he affirms your prayer and reading.

    Russell, the power of truth indeed overcomes the deepest chasm of emptiness. Whatever else a life is, it shall never again be empty when God's Word is hidden in the heart.

    Patty, that certainty is the essence of truth and its inherent power. We can trust the Lord through EVERYthing.

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