The Gift

Author Bill Brant decribes the moment the gift was received: She approached cautiously and her eyes never left it. When her hands touched it, it was a caress, not a grab. Then she bowed, not to me but to the book. I was just the holder; she knew the importance of the gift itself. And I watched as she gently took the Bible in her native language of Swahili and cuddled it against her chest. Then as she sat, she began to read because she wanted to know what was written there. A young woman in Mbeya, Tanzania, not having a Bible before, hungered to know for herself what God says. 

Is that not precious? It brings tears to my eyes. We live in the land of plenty and I'm not sure anyone in America would treasure the gift of Gods Word with such tender  adoration. Yet it is a treasure beyond description.  There are those who have entered the very chambers of His holiness and touched the heart of God. They have walked with Him (Gen 5:24), talked with Him (Exo 19:19) and heard His voice (Gen 15:1). Some have even spoken with Him " face to face" (Exo 33:11).  

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34)  Those who find God as their Treasure will be a treasure to Him: "And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels" (Mal 3:17).  "And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an emblem upon His land" (Zech 9:16). 

We've all traveled in the family car.  We have either been the seeker or the recipient of the eternal question: are we there yet? The Apostle Paul reminded Timothy that: From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:15-17).   

A pearl to string: God's word is not a bat to be swung at people nor is it something to bean others over the head with... God's Word is a treasure to embrace and learn how to live in this fallen world of ours. God's Word is for gwowing and glowing. Despite all our learning, despite all our experience, we come to two great awakenings: our knowledge compared to what there is to know is so very small and our place in the passage of time is so very short. Both of these awakenings prepare us to turn our lives and future over to our God who longs to bring us to himself.  "We were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow"(Job 8:9). 

Immānûʼēl (Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל "God (is) with us")

You are loved,

                  Lyndi