Live By The Word

“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”  Psalm 119:11

Many Christians take God’s Word for granted.  They don’t seem to have enough time to set aside a small portion of their waking hours to delve into the most precious and beneficial book that has ever been written.  I wish that I could get across to others just how wonderful and enlightening it is to study the scriptures.  The Bible is not a boring book as folks who do not bother to read and study it believe.  One can find in scriptures some of the same things that can be found in novels.  On the gross end, one can find rape, incest, adultery, fornication, and murder, much of what is written in modern day novels that are so popular.  On the much more pleasant and enlightening end, one can find love, mercy, truth, forgiveness, and joy, subjects of which many novels overlook.  And for those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will “live happily ever after”.

When I dig into the wisdom, knowledge, and truth of God’s Word, the world and all its problems vanish away for a little while.  It is also important to memorize scripture.  I have been trying to memorize Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7) for a good while.  It is three chapters with 111 verses, no small feat for a “senior” citizen or anyone for that matter.  But, it’s worth the effort.  Should the time come when Christians are persecuted in our nation to the point that Bibles are not allowed, the only scriptures we will have are what we have memorized.  Some think this will never happen, but we hear so many stories of how God’s Word is being banned in public places that it is only a matter of time when it won’t be allowed anywhere in the public arena.

We were shown a video at church recently of an underground church in China.  Someone had been able to smuggle a suitcase full of Bibles into their group.  When the suitcase was opened, the people dove into those Bibles, grabbing them up, kissing them, and crying.  That’s how much they were hungry for God’s Word.  If only those of us who claim to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ could have that same love and appreciation for God’s Word.  If we would only consider studying His Word as the most important part of the day.  As for me, the time that I spend in Bible study every morning is the highlight of my day, and a great way to start off the day.  God will reveal Himself to anyone who will take the time to pursue Him through His Word.