DEVOTION / Ackamarackus

Almost a century ago, American journalist Damon Runyon coined the nonsense word ackamarackus. Ackamarackus describes "a long-winded or nonsensical story, especially one intended to bluff or deceive."

The interminable fable a teen tells his parents to explain why he wasn't able to make his curfew is “a bit of the old ackamarackus.”

Religious ackamarackus

Non-Christian religions frequently rely on ackamarackus (fables) to teach their "truths." However, ackamarackus can never be used to describe what God tells us in is Word.

Yes, there can be long, boring sermons based on God's Word. (I know because I've listened to a few of them and even preached a couple of them.) Yes, there are chapters in the Bible that seem endless. (Some of the chapters in the Book of Numbers are like that for me.)

The Bible’s Truth

But the Bible never, ever tells fables -- long-winded or otherwise -- to deceive or mislead us. It is trustworthy in everything it says. Every word is Truth with a capital T; that is, absolute Truth.

• Jesus speaks to his Father about the Bible, "Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

• "All Scripture is inspired by God," 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says.

• Psalm 119:160 says, "The sum of your word is truth."

• Proverbs 30:5 insists, "Every word of God is pure."

• Isaiah 40:8 declares that, unlike lies, "the word of our God endures forever."

So we trust whatever the Scriptures tell us. We agree when the Bible describes us as spiritually dead sinners who deserve God's angry punishment. We acknowledge his laws are just and right. We cling to the Bible's assurance that because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4,5).

There is not “a bit of the old ackamarackus” in the Scriptures. From cover to cover it is truth, inspired by God, 100% pure, and enduring forever.