The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. – Psalms 19:7-11 ESV
Have you ever counted the number of Bibles that are in your house? How about the number that your parents owned?
Are they gathering dust on the shelves or are they serving a daily purpose in our lives? Are they touched once or twice a week and sitting in their assigned place far from us, or are they a close reference that we apply and consult regularly?
Whether or not a Bible is physically close to us isn’t quite as important as whether we are spiritually close to the Word of God. What does our relationship with Christ look like? Are we drawing closer or falling away? Are we resting, crawling, walking, or running to both receive this Truth, this Life, this Way of Christ and to carry it to the nations?
We live in a country where the Bible is readily available, but that isn’t true everywhere in the world. In some places, those in power are working to keep Christianity and the Bible out of the hands of the people they oppress and control. And some people do not yet have the Bible translated into a language they can understand.
There are some people in the world who would gladly give months worth of their wages just to have their own copy of the Bible. In one way, we are blessed to have access to the Word of God, to devotionals, to churches on many corners in our cities. But I wonder if we sometimes forget the value of this freedom? I wonder if we sometimes take for granted these precepts that give us insight to life and that provide both a warning and a great reward.
Lord, remind us of that precious bond. Remind us of that sweet, sweek aroma of your presence. Remind us of that healing touch of your hand. Let us draw close to you, knowing you will draw close to us. Speak to us through your Word, and let it cut deep into our hearts, casting aside the weeds of doubt, unforgiveness, bitterness, strife, and anything that doesn’t glorify you – so that your seed is planted in good soil to grow and flourish. Send the rain and light that will grow our faith to be strong and sound and trustworthy for your name’s sake, Lord. You are our comforter and guide. You are the true bread of life that we consume, and the blood of salvation that washes over us, and the living waters that overflow or vessel with your very character and nature, and the fire in our bones that sends us our to tell the nations of this Good News: that God has come in the flesh, that Jesus Crust is not dead in the ground, but risen and alive as the first fruits, the way, the truth, and the life example of what lies in store for those whose faith is working through love, for those who have taken up their cross to follow Jesus, repenting from sin, turning to God, sharing their testimony, and not loving this world but loving and serving God and one another even unto death.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 