(Jesus said) "Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth." John 17:17

Truth can be such an elusive little beastie.

For example, four friends from the Bronx are facing a year in jail. And are they deserving of this punishment? Well, it depends on whose story you believe.

The four pals say they were goofing around during a February storm when a snowball went off target and hit a policeman in the leg. Next thing they knew the policeman was waving his pistol at them and calling for back-up. The young men have been charged with criminal possession of a weapon (the snowball).

On the other hand, we have the story of the policeman who says he was walking toward his girlfriend's house when he was hit in the back by four snowballs. He kept walking, even though the boys called him all kinds of names. It was only when he heard someone shout, "Let's jump him!" that the officer pulled his gun, called for help, and had the boys arrested.

So, who is telling the truth? I don't know. I doubt if I'll ever know. Of course, the Lord can separate the truth from a lie, the wheat from chaff.

Anyone who has watched TV court shows knows that humankind has a marked tendency to play pretty fast and loose with the truth. It's a human trait. On the other hand, we are blessed to have a Lord who tells the truth -- every time. As Scripture says, His "Word is truth."

Note that it doesn't say God's Word has some of the truth, some of the time. It doesn't say God's Word gets close to the truth, or is near to the truth, or has one version of the truth. God's Word is truth, and it can be trusted.

And how do I know? I know because the biblical worldview makes more sense than does the explanation of anyone else. I know because I have seen God make promises, and I have also seen Him keep those promises. I know because I have read the prophets who made predictions about the Savior, and I have seen Jesus fulfill those prophecies with His life, His suffering, His death, and His resurrection.

How do I know? I know because God has always been there for me. Yes, I know that's pretty subjective. But so is my belief that my wife of 40 years still loves me. How do I know? In a million ways she shows me, so there is no doubt about her, and there is no doubt about the honesty of my truthful, Triune God.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Satan has been called "the father of lies" (John 8:44b). Now he may be the father of lies but he has a very large family of liars. Help me avoid his lies and listen to You who are the source and center of all truth. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 3-4    Luke 2:25-52

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