“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 New King James Version)
I was trying to do a little, quick research to find the title of the book with the most chapters that has been written to date. The first thing that came up was “The Blah Story” by Nigel Tomm, published in 2007. The internet insert insisted that this book, a work that consists of a staggering 3,277 chapters, is the undisputed champion in regard to the most chapters in a book.
I started question the use of the term “undisputed.” So, still curious, I looked to see how many chapters there were in the Bible. I found the answer to be 1,189 chapters when you add chapters in the Old Testament and New Testament together. But I have to say, there is no blah, blah, blah, in this bestseller that should be in every home, and used in every home. Amen!
I was still questioning, but admittedly, for a minute, I got sidetracked. I made a quick assumption based on the “undisputed” champion’s “book title, with its staggering 3,277 chapters that I needed to dig deeper. My assumption was based on the title, “The Blah Story,” That had me thinking that different than the Bible, there must be a lot of “blah, blah, blah,” a lot of repeated words in this “undisputed” champion’s book. Goodreads confirmed my suspicion, reporting that in this book, there are many repeated words that have no meaning. I was sidetracked, but perhaps for a purpose. I think I am supposed to tell you, in order for you to make a justifiable comparison, that even though the Bible has far less chapters, it contains words that are not only meaningful, but long lasting, as evident by the opening verse which ends with a clause that says, “the word of our God stands forever.”
I’m back on track now. Being fair, while I believe the Bible is the more valuable book, unquestionably, “The Blah Story” still had more chapters. Yet, let me tell you something! It is not the “undisputed” champion in terms of useful wisdom, for it cannot compare with the word that is inspired by the incomparable intellect of God. Nevertheless, I have to admit when it comes to volume, “The Blah Story” does have “a staggering 3, 277 chapters.”
However, I still have to question the use of the words “undisputed champion.” Can I tell you why? Okay, here you go! Believers in Jesus Christ, the beloved Son whom God gave us that whosoever believes might have everlasting life, believers, each and every one of us, will surpass the chapters in “The Blah” because when our chapters of life have ended in this life, they will continue for an eternity. Do you hear what I am talking about! That’s good news! That’s worth praising God for right now! Go ahead and take a praise break!
Feel good this Wednesday morning! Why? Because you are one of the real “undisputed champions” when it comes to the number of chapters in your life story. Your narrative will continue for an eternity, and I am sure that means your days, call them “chapters,” will surpass the number 3, 277 cited above. My friend, do you remember the words of the old hymn, “Amazing Grace,” written by John Newton in 1779? Well, in case you do not, I will close with some of them, my fellow “undisputed champion!” Have a great day! Be blessed!
“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun”
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King