How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your
word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your
commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin
against You. Psalms 119:9-11 NASB
(As a pastor I am constantly searching for good illustrations. I’m not sure exactly where this one came from
but it is a treasure.)
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the
mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at
the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted
to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try
to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do
understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the
Bible do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove
and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket
of water." The boy did as he was
told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the
house.
The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move
a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket
to try again. This time the boy ran
faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that
it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a
bucket. Instead, the old man said,
"I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do
this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to
watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted
to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water
would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran
hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of
breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said,
"Look at the basket." The boy
looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked
different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it Was clean!
"Son, that's
what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember
everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That
is the work of God in our lives to change us from the inside out and to slowly
transform us into the image of His son. Take
time to read a portion of God's word each day.
Scripture
to Claim:
Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced
in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on
Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall
not forget Your word. Psalms 119:12-16
NASB
