DAY 79 Read Psalm 119:1-88.
Today's reading takes another departure from the strictly historical narrative. We have finished the books of Moses; it is appropriate that we consider the psalmist's evaluation of God's Word--His recorded communication with humanity.
Memory gem: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18).
Thought for today:
A colporteur selling Bible portions was held up at the point of a revolver in a Sicillian forest in the dead of night and ordered to light a bonfire and burn his books. Having made the fire, he asked if he might read a brief selection from each book before consigning it to the flames. From one he read the twenty-third psalm, from another the parable of the Good Samaritan, from another the Sermon on the Mount, from another Paul's hymn of love, and so on.
After the reading of each extract the brigand who had held him up exclaimed: "That's a good book. We won't burn that one. Give it to me." In the end, not a book was burned but passed, one by one, into the brigand's hands. He then went off, books and all, into the darkness.
Years later this same man happened to meet the colporteur, but this time as an ordained Christian minister. Telling his story, he said, "It was the reading of your books that did it."
Yes, the Bible is a book that changes things--it changes people. Victor Hugo once said, "England has two books--one which she made, and the other which made her--Shakespeare and the Bible."
Wherever the Bible has gone it has changed civilization by changing people. Why is this? If you want to start life over, if you want a new birth, then read the Bible, believe the Bible, obey the Bible. It is the living Word of God. Faith will grow in your heart. You will see that the Bible reveals a man--the Man, Christ Jesus--from Genesis to Revelation. If you will accept Him, the living Word of God, as your atoning sacrifice, as your Saviour and Lord, you will find salvation here and now. You will have joy here, and the certainty of everlasting life in the world to come. So, read the Bible!
Today's reading takes another departure from the strictly historical narrative. We have finished the books of Moses; it is appropriate that we consider the psalmist's evaluation of God's Word--His recorded communication with humanity.
Memory gem: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18).
Thought for today:
A colporteur selling Bible portions was held up at the point of a revolver in a Sicillian forest in the dead of night and ordered to light a bonfire and burn his books. Having made the fire, he asked if he might read a brief selection from each book before consigning it to the flames. From one he read the twenty-third psalm, from another the parable of the Good Samaritan, from another the Sermon on the Mount, from another Paul's hymn of love, and so on.
After the reading of each extract the brigand who had held him up exclaimed: "That's a good book. We won't burn that one. Give it to me." In the end, not a book was burned but passed, one by one, into the brigand's hands. He then went off, books and all, into the darkness.
Years later this same man happened to meet the colporteur, but this time as an ordained Christian minister. Telling his story, he said, "It was the reading of your books that did it."
Yes, the Bible is a book that changes things--it changes people. Victor Hugo once said, "England has two books--one which she made, and the other which made her--Shakespeare and the Bible."
Wherever the Bible has gone it has changed civilization by changing people. Why is this? If you want to start life over, if you want a new birth, then read the Bible, believe the Bible, obey the Bible. It is the living Word of God. Faith will grow in your heart. You will see that the Bible reveals a man--the Man, Christ Jesus--from Genesis to Revelation. If you will accept Him, the living Word of God, as your atoning sacrifice, as your Saviour and Lord, you will find salvation here and now. You will have joy here, and the certainty of everlasting life in the world to come. So, read the Bible!
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