Monday, August 31, 2009
The book that speaks truth.
I can’t tell you how many times I have opened my Bible in hopes to find an answer to a question or problem only to find nothing of the sort. Then again, I can’t tell you how many times I have found what I believe to be answers to questions I have had and have found comfort in the wisdom the book holds. Of course, there have been other times when I have read my Bible seeking an answer to a problem only to find something (a piece of truth) I really did not want to hear; as the saying goes, the truth hurts at times. And then, there are those rare times when you happen to randomly open up a Bible and find something that seems to be exactly what you needed to read or hear at that precise moment. I remember once, before I was a believer, I was at a college party at someone’s house, while their parents where away. While consuming unreasonable amounts of alcohol, I found myself in the family room. There sitting on a coffee table was one of those old Family Bibles that was larger than the Yellow Pages phone book. I opened the large leather bound book and the book open to Proverbs 20, where verse one read: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise”. Needless to say, I didn’t drink for the rest of the evening.
More recently, Friday night I was in a Church hall attending a meeting when I picked up a Pew Bible. I randomly opened of the book, which lead me to James. Just like that night at the party, there was no real reason for me to open the Bible other than it was there. As I began to read James, the words cut deep, as I myself have been struggling with a variety of relentless issues, struggles and problems. I found comfort and assurance in what I read. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does”.
With that, I am reminded to hold fast, endure and trust, all of which I will do.
I can’t tell you how many times I have opened my Bible in hopes to find an answer to a question or problem only to find nothing of the sort. Then again, I can’t tell you how many times I have found what I believe to be answers to questions I have had and have found comfort in the wisdom the book holds. Of course, there have been other times when I have read my Bible seeking an answer to a problem only to find something (a piece of truth) I really did not want to hear; as the saying goes, the truth hurts at times. And then, there are those rare times when you happen to randomly open up a Bible and find something that seems to be exactly what you needed to read or hear at that precise moment. I remember once, before I was a believer, I was at a college party at someone’s house, while their parents where away. While consuming unreasonable amounts of alcohol, I found myself in the family room. There sitting on a coffee table was one of those old Family Bibles that was larger than the Yellow Pages phone book. I opened the large leather bound book and the book open to Proverbs 20, where verse one read: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise”. Needless to say, I didn’t drink for the rest of the evening.
More recently, Friday night I was in a Church hall attending a meeting when I picked up a Pew Bible. I randomly opened of the book, which lead me to James. Just like that night at the party, there was no real reason for me to open the Bible other than it was there. As I began to read James, the words cut deep, as I myself have been struggling with a variety of relentless issues, struggles and problems. I found comfort and assurance in what I read. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does”.
With that, I am reminded to hold fast, endure and trust, all of which I will do.
