What would you say, if I told you that sixty-six letters were sent around the world to millions and millions of recipients, who have yet to read them? Hard to imagine when you think about the author of those letters and the thought, love and sacrifice that went into the preparation. The author conveyed to His many followers and scribes the words they were to write on His behalf. Many hours, weeks, months and years went into the writing of these letters. Carefully written with accuracy connecting events hundreds of years apart.
Our Bible is a portfolio of letters. Love letters, written for the reader, to inspire a desire to seek wisdom. Letters with detail on how to treat our neighbors. Letters expressing the importance of forgiveness. Letters of courage and strength of character. Letters written under threat of death. Yet, they are often tossed aside, unopened.
There are Bibles sitting in homes whose pages have rarely, if ever been opened. There was a time in my younger days when my letters went to church with me on Sunday. I went straight to the few lines read and studied over by my pastor and presented to us as a sermon. Then I closed the book of letters to sit until Sunday came again.
~Thought For Today~
We live in a high-tech society, it is quite possible that many of the younger generation have never opened a Bible. Too easy to get verses from cell phones and iPads. There is nothing wrong with that method at all. I am from the old school. I like to thumb through its pages. Searching the string of pearls from Genesis to Revelation. Making notes for future reference.
It is the history of our God, creator of the universe and His Son who came to earth as a baby, to redeem a fallen world. It includes the recounting of many men and women touched by the love and grace of God. Men and women charged with spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Letters about members of the family of God and the difficulties they dealt with in life. Sinful situations that were overcome by victorious lives. Letters about imperfection, perfected in the likeness of Christ. Letters recounting journeys that began with rejection of the Son and ended as martyrs. Many testimonies of faith.
The best way to read old, unopened letters is to start with the first one. Read it carefully. Study it prayerfully. Find the message in its lines meant for you, the beloved. Then move to the next one and the next until all all of the letters have been read.
Like most love letters, we read them over and over. We cherish them for a lifetime.
~Scripture For Today~
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NASB)
Psalms 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (NASB)
Joshua 1:8
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (NASB)
1 Timothy 4:13
13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Thank you for Your words to us. Letters of instruction and wisdom. For those who received Your words and wrote them to last for all time. We pray for a hunger to read and reread the letters, from a Father to His children. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.