When you open the Bible and begin to read, the words jump off the page. Unlike any other book, this book can grip you with a phrase or a mere word. You may be frozen on one verse. You may find a key that you'd searched for your entire life. Here it is, hidden in plain sight, like a jewel lying on the sand. Maybe it has your name on it. It could be a truth that God put there, knowing many years ago that you would find it just today.
In this modern, technological world that is run on money, many of us spend our lives stressed about one thing or another. Sometimes we don't even know what the cause of our stress is. It could be a word, a slip of the tongue from a hasty passer-by or a glance that we interpreted as a slight. It may only be a kind of feeling that seems to hit at a certain time of day or during certain activities. Sometimes that mood will pass quickly and sometimes it may turn into a state of depression that lingers for days. A little black cloud stubbornly hanging overhead.
The pressure and stress pushing us forward continue to do so unabated for days, until we choose to step off the treadmill for a moment, take a breath and try to collect a sane thought. Even that is not easy to do. There's always that nagging feeling that something needs to be done. There's that judging voice saying,
"You are so lazy. What have you accomplished today? Time is money." ...or some such accusation. (We all have that little voice in our head that needs to be brought into submission.)
Therefore, I do realize that to open the Bible and begin to read it is no small task! You will be besieged on every side with good, logical reasons why you don't have time. Then, even as you begin to read, doubts will arise from every quarter. Millions of them. And, the cherry on top is, you will get so drowsy, you may suddenly feel a deep sleep coming on.
In fact, you may discover that it's easier to pick up any other reading material on hand than to try to read the Bible. Why do you suppose that is?
Wouldn't it make sense to say that it's probably because the Bible is a very unique book? It may also make sense to say that the enemy of your soul throws everything he has at you to prevent you from finding out the "goods" on him. He sure doesn't want you to live in victory. He certainly doesn't want you to go around proclaiming the truth to others. That's for sure!
Then again, it has been said, "You are your own worst enemy."
However, once all these obstacles have been overcome and we find ourselves enraptured in the Word of God, there is nothing better than drinking in the powerful words of spiritual life and rebirth that can be found there. Don't worry if you don't understand everything. Just enjoy it.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby." I Peter 2:2
Earlier in this blog, I included the first 14 verses from the first chapter of John. I hope it amazed you. These words contain the very spirit and life of God and Jesus, who is God. So, let's continue with John Chapter 1:
15. John bare witness of him, and cried saying, This was he of whom I spake, he that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
God decided to show a different side of himself to us by sending Jesus who came in "grace" and "truth".
When Jesus spoke to Pilate, he said,
"Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice."
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