Every once in a while, a Bible study question gets you so fired up that you just have to share it. (And I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be!) This past week in Beth Moore’s Children of the Day study, one of the lessons expanded on how God’s Word speaks to us personally and equips us for our calling. Among other Scriptures, we were reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
At the conclusion of the lesson, she asked us to picture ourselves in the following scenario: “A friend or acquaintance is baffled by your love for the Bible and became a bit incredulous in a recent conversation. She asked you what you loved so much about it, but you were too caught off guard to respond thoughtfully. You sit down now to write her a letter. You don’t have time for a lengthy diatribe or a quick course on Bible apologetics. You know you can’t force her to understand. You simply want to convey in a paragraph what Scripture has meant to you personally.” (Beth Moore, Children of the Day, p. 153)
She then leaves space for us to compose a letter of what we could write in response. I joked in our study group that brevity is not one of my spiritual gifts (as those of you who know me or have read this far are well-aware!), so mine was more than a paragraph, and I didn’t take the time to read it during our discussion together. But it has continually pressed on my heart, and I feel led to share it with all of you. Truly it burns in my soul, as I want everyone to know how completely life-changing spending time with God in His Word can really be. So here is my “letter” of what flowed from my heart when faced with Beth’s question:
Dear friend,
I can’t even begin to explain to you how much this Book means to me. The very Word of God on a page for my hands to hold, my eyes to see, my heart to know– what could be a more precious gift on this earth? I have had my eyes spill over with tears as I’ve touched the words to a Psalm with my hand and whispered to the Lord, “O Father, this is my prayer… the one I thought didn’t have words… You gave it words and voiced the cry of my heart, acceptable and pleasing to You.” I can read those words again and again, knowing God hears my cry and sees my heart, just as He saw the one He inspired to write those exact words in the first place.
Every page is filled with truth. It pours out comfort, hope, salvation, direction, instruction, correction, and so much more, all covered in grace to meet my heart and my need. Truly I am overcome with thankfulness and fresh awe even as I write these words. That the God of heaven would breathe out His words of life and make them available to me is more than I can begin to take in.
But here’s the thing– He wrote it with you in mind, too. He knows your heart. He knows your needs. And He knew your name before you were knit together in your mother’s womb. He WILL speak to you. Just ask Him with a heart to seek Him, and then open His words and devour them. He will meet you there. He will remain true to His Word. It will not return void. He is faithful. Just taste and see.
I love you and long for you to truly know the One who loves you most…
Ruth
Human words seem so inadequate to describe the very Word of God. Yet the passion burns so deeply within me that I have to share. I’m praying that it will be contagious… that someone will be intrigued enough to want to dig in to God’s Word with a renewed spirit or even for the first time. It can change your day and change your life. I know it has changed mine. It has carried me through many seasons, and God is using it to carry me through this one now, too. I am so thankful.
“When Your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear Your name,
O LORD God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
I’d love it if anyone else would like to share a story or testimony of what God’s Word means to you, too… Or if you have questions and want to ask more, I welcome those as well!
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