 There isn’t anything on earth more fascinating to me than the Bible. Being one who thrives on stories, books, poetry and the words of which they consist, it’s not surprising that nothing else can hold a candle to God’s Word. It has everything! So, why don’t I spend more time reading and studying it than I do?
Learned scholars for thousands of years have attempted to go into great detail about all that the Scriptures offer. Yet, any attempt to expound upon, explain or extol the Word of God remains only an attempt. Nothing compares.
About all I can ever do to share the power and majesty of God’s Word is to break off a portion here and there to hold it out to others. Yet, that’s like picking up a grain of sand at a beautiful beach and taking it everywhere I go in order to show and tell others what it’s like where I’ve been. Can’t be done.
Offering a portion of the Word of God is like offering a bite of an apple or a sandwich or chicken ‘n dumplings (southern style). In making the offering we can only hope to whet the appetite of others; if they like what they taste we can tell them how to obtain more.
In retrospect, I am thankful for every bite of Scripture I have been offered over the years. On occasion, even the aroma has drawn me to the Table. Through the Scriptures, nature, family, friends, strangers... God has always met me wherever and whenever I have called upon Him; I believe He will do the same for any other person who, with a hunger to know Him and sincerely calls on His name.
As a child I worried about people throughout history and the world who have had limited or no access to God’s Word. Yet, it was within the covers of the Book that I found comfort about this concern. Paul wrote in the first chapter of the book of Romans: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” Does that let me off the hook? Should I not even attempt to share the best soul food I have ever found with a hungry fellow traveler?
Over the years, as my knowledge of health maintenance has increased, my understanding of individuals who refuse to eat, drink and exercise in ways that will benefit their body and mind has decreased. I must include myself in this segment of folks I don’t understand because my diet and exercise habits still leave a lot to be desired. When I eat the wrong foods or too much of the right ones and/or am not active enough, I am aware of my wrong choices and I know that the scales as well as my energy level will tell on me. Knowledge about healthy choices has led me to this awareness.
I suppose that is why we don’t read and study the Word of God like we should. It makes us aware doesn’t it. It shines a light on what we are thinking and doing and puts it all up against eternal standards that do not change with the seasons. In reading the Word we come across passages like, I Corinthians 1:4-5: “I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the One Who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes Who will both bring to Light the things hidden in darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from the Lord.”
I don’t know about you, but if I know in advance that I am going to be quizzed on a certain subject or required to explain about that subject in detail, you can bet I want to know all I can before the time comes for me to expose my knowledge or ignorance. Yet, we read in Psalm 119: “From Thy precepts I get understanding, therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
With the ever increasing tolerance of sin in the world today it’s no wonder we don’t read and study God’s Word more than we do. We are uncomfortable with the exposure that the Light brings, aren’t we? |
