Thy Word

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11

When I was a young girl in grade school, I asked my Mother if I could have a Bible. My friend Donna had a Bible. She even underlined things in her Bible. Can't tell you how much I wanted a Bible, but it didn't have to be like Donna's Bible. Today, even babies receive New Testaments. Receiving one's first Bible was a very big thing. My Mother said I could have one when I “joined the church.” That was her way of referring to my accepting Jesus as my Savior. To be honest, I forgot about it. It was only a year or so after that when on a sunny Sunday morning, I went forward in our church and accepted Jesus as my Savior.

Surprise, surprise...in about a month after that, I received a package from my Aunt Lee. It was a brand new Bible. It didn't look like Donna's Bible, but that was okay. I dearly loved that Bible, but I have to tell you that since that time, I have had several Bibles. Some of my Bibles are different translations, different colors, and different sizes. All are marked in with notes galore in the margins. Recently, Caleb, one of our grandsons passed by the book case in our living room where I keep most of my Bibles. He said, “Boy Grandma, you have a bunch of Bibles.” I told him, “Yes...and I use each of them at one time or another.”

Reading God's Word serves several purposes in my life. I never want it to just become routine to sit and read it. I love reading it when I'm happy, seeking counsel, preparing a Sunday school lesson or Bible study curriculum, reading it when speaking to a group of ladies, but love it especially when I'm reading it just for recreation. No matter what my state of mind or circumstances, I always want to walk away from it having learned or benefited from it's reading in some way. Most of all, it keeps me in right relationship with my Lord. There are times when I find great pleasure in just spending time looking at it's pages.

I recently came across a verse in Psalm 119. It had special meaning and still does because in the last few weeks, I've gone through a bit of a difficult time. I don't do well with change and am going through a major change right now. Verse 71 stood out as if in neon lights.

It is good for me that I have been
afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.

The key word for me in that verse is the word “afflicted.” When I think of that word, I think of someone who has been in a bad car wreck or who has come down with a terrible illness. “Affliction” is a word that has always indicated to me something that is physical. However, the definition, although involving something physical, can also be something that is emotionally troubling.

Change...how I hate it...and it was troubling, but how could it possibly be a good thing in my life? That verse spoke to my heart like never before. I've read it many times as I love Psalm 119 so have read it often. I saw that even in the tough times, be they physical or emotional, God's plan is that in those times, I will learn more about Him and more about His Word. The word “statutes” in this verse has to do with being obedient to God's commandments. Even in times of trouble or affliction, God wants us to walk in obedience.

One major thing I know for a fact, that although I detest change in almost any form, Hebrews 13:8 tells me that Jesus will never change. I see in that verse that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. My relationship with Him can only grow in positive ways, ways that will change me for His good and glory. That verse also says to me that if Jesus never changes, His Word won't change either. Oh, there are Bible translators I wouldn't trust to translate my last first-grade Dick and Jane book, but when it comes to the basic and trusted translations of God's Word, I can base my very salvation and life on them.

Another precious Bible I received was prior to my leaving for college. My Mother and Grandmother bought me a bright red Bible with the what we called “onion skin” pages. I still look at it and all of the markings I made while in various Bible classes. Another precious Bible I received was from my future husband for the Christmas before our February wedding. I bought him one at the same time. It would seem that for many of us, our Bibles indicate some landmark events in our lives.

No matter where my Bibles have come from, they are each precious, not because of the giver, color or types of paper. Each is precious because they are God's Word to me, His love letter to me. It's His love letter to all of us. God's Word continues to be my source of guidance and direction. Psalm 119:105 says: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Can't make it in a difficult world without it. Remember the chorus we used to sing?

“The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that's the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E”

Thank You, dear Father, for the privilege of owning a copy of Your precious Word. May I never take for granted that privilege. Forgive my laxity at times when I don't read it as often as I should and for not obeying what You say to me through it. Help me to do better. In Jesus Name...Amen