Cherishing God’s Word
Ps 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my
mouth!”
In his famous book HOW TO READ A BOOK, Mortimer Adler notes the one time when
everyone reads as they should: when reading a love letter, or in today’s world,
a love email. They read it over and over, between the lines and in the margins,
taking into account context, insinuation, and implication. Words, phrases,
punctuation, and style – all are important to the person in love. A love letter
is the most cherished writing in the world.
Isn’t it ironic that the world’s greatest love letter has not been more
cherished by those to whom it was written? The Bible can be rightly viewed as
God’s love letter to mankind. It discloses His love for us. It is a record of
His sacrifice for us and a promise of His faithfulness.
How many of us still have boxes filled with letters and cards from the days of
our courtship? Our hearts and passions are stirred anew when we read them, just
as they would be if we pored over God’s love letter to us with equal passion.
The next time you open your Bible, read it as a love letter from God to you and
see what a difference it makes.
The Precious Word
In the time of the inquisition, when possession of a Bible was considered
a crime, Christians were imprisoned, beaten, and even put to death for hiding
copy of it in their homes. Periodically their dwelling was searched by officers
to see if portions of the Scriptures had been concealed there. The Word of God
was precious in those days, and no doubt more appreciated than it is by the
average Christian in the 20th century who will go for long periods of time
without seriously studying its contents. If all Bibles should be taken from us,
or if possession of them once again were to become a crime, we would be sorry
for our present sinful neglect.
During the dark days of persecution in the 16th century, an order was finally
given that all portions of the Scriptures should be destroyed. The people were
given thirty days to carry out the edict. A young boy who loved the Lord spent
every waking hour of that time memorizing the Word until he could recite chapter
after chapter by heart. When the
inquisitors came, he obediently surrendered his precious possession. In surprise
they said
"Why do you give it up so willingly? Why did you no try to keep it from us like
the others?" The lad replied
"I do have a hidden Bible, but it is where you will novel be able to get at it!"
Placing his hand over his heart, he said, "Here it is, hidden in my heart. You
can take my life, but the Book - never!"
How much of God's Word do you have treasured in your heart? How many Scripture
verses can you quote from memory? Are the Scriptures even precious enough to you
to be concerned about learning their contents?
GOD'S WORD - THE BIBLE
1 Tim 6:7 "What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! (TEV)
What have you done with your Bible recently? Have you read it? Do you only take it out on Sundays and then toss it to lie somewhere for the rest of the week? The Bible is God’s love message to us. Martin Luther reminds us "not in works, not in any other thing, but purely in hope the heart of man rejoices. The one who seeks to find joy apart from this hope will labor much but will labor in vain:' Then Luther goes on to remind us of the Bible story of the woman who went from doctor to doctor for twelve years, spending all she had until she met Jesus. . . .
Our hope is not to be found in running from place to place or in smug resignation to the evils of life, but rather in belief and trust in God's word. . . . Thank God for this lamp of truth that burns ever brightly telling us of Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah sent by God to redeem us from the slavery to sin, death, and hopelessness.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” This would be a good time to open the Gospel According to Matthew and the Gospel According to Luke and begin to read again the beautiful story of Christmas.
THE ALL-SUFFICIENT BOOK
2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”
Do you have a Bible in your home? I’m sure you do. Perhaps you have several, and in different versions. In my library I once had a “Bible Shelf.” It was crammed with many different versions of the Bible, so crammed that one day it fell down. But just having a Bible is not enough for the Bible, being one of the best-selling books in the entire world, is also one of the most neglected books in the world. How many copies lie unused on the shelf collecting dust or hidden in some drawer completely forgotten, while their owners fill themselves with other reading material that fails to satisfy their soul's deep need! John MacArthur once said, “I have found that my spiritual growth is directly proportional to the amount of time and effort I put into the study of Scripture.”
Here is a bit of verse which has a wonderful message that I would like to share with you. It is entitled, "The Sufficing Bible."
When I am tired, the Bible is my bed;
Or in the dark, the Bible is my light.
When I am hungry, it is vital bread;
Or fearful, it is armor for the fight.
When I am sick, 'tis healing medicine;
Or lonely, thronging friends I find therein.
Should I be lost, the Bible is my guide;
Or naked, it is raiment rich and warm.
When I'm imprisoned, still it ranges wide;
Or tempest-tossed, a shelter from the storm.
Would I adventure, 'tis a gallant sea;
Or would I rest, it is a flowery lea.
Does gloom oppress? The Bible is a sun;
Or ugliness? It is a garden fair.
Am I athirst? How cool its currents run!
Or stifled? What a vivifying air!
Since thus thou givest of thyself to me,
How should I give myself, great Book, to thee!
- - Anon.
This is the Book for which men and women throughout the passing centuries have paid the greatest price simply to enjoy the privilege of reading from its sacred pages. Now that each of us can personally possess his own copy of this Divine Masterpiece, how we should study and obey its blessed pages every day of our lives!
As Dr. A. T. Pierson put it, “While some books inform, and a few reform, only the Bible transforms!”