Tonight as I was preparing to for bed, I was trying to decide between two boring novels to lull myself to sleep with when a question suddenly flew through my mind. It was not my own question and I totally was not expecting it, but there it was: "What would you do if you found out that your Bible would be taken away within the next two months and that you would never again have another chance to read it or any others in your lifetime?"
Ouch! Have I been taking my shelf full of Bibles for granted? I always forget that there are many places in the world where Bibles are rare, and many others where they are prohibited. There are people who are searching for answers, but find none because Bibles are not allowed entry into their countries. There are others who are being tortured, jailed or killed for their faith. So what is my excuse to not read my Bible? I should be reading it as though I will never have another chance to read it again. As a girl reads a letter she has received from her true love; memorizing, taking to heart and believing every word. That is how we ought to read God's letter to us.
"Your word have I laid up in my heart that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. With my lips have I declared and recounted all the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law]. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. -Psalm 119:11-17
