Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.. Psalm 119:105
Give Me That Book!
John Wesley (1703-1791) was a theologian and preacher from
the 18th century. He and
other preachers/evangelists had no small part in the great awakening of
England, and the spread of Christianity across the frontier of America, the new
world that took place in that same period.
In the prelude to his Preface of Sermons, he wrote the
following:
“TO candid, reasonable men, I am not
afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have
thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the
air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: just hovering over the
great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an
unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing,—the way to heaven; how to land
safe on that happy shore.
God himself has condescended
to teach me the way. For this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it
down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I
have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo
unius libri. (translation:
a man of one book)
Here then I am, far from the
busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His presence I open, I
read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.
Is there a doubt concerning
the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up
my heart to the Father of Lights:—“Lord, is it not Thy word, ‘if any man lack
wisdom, let him ask of God?’ Thou givest liberally, and upbraidest not. Thou
hast said, ‘if any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know.’ I am willing to
do, let me know Thy will.”
I then search after and
consider parallel passages of Scripture, “comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.” I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which
my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are
experienced in the things of God: and then the writings whereby, being dead,
they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.”
I pray that I might echo the cry of Mr. Wesley to be “a
man of one book…”, the Bible; that each of us could be heard by heaven crying
daily “Lord give me wisdom from this your
Word…”
I do not pick up the Bible with the same casual gaze that
I read the evening news, nor a work of fiction with. The Bible is not that book that I reach for
simply to prepare for my sermon or a Sunday school lesson with.
The Holy Bible is that book:
·
Inspired by God himself,
·
…that is the Word of God,
·
…that contains the Wisdom of God,
·
…and teaches me how to be saved;
·
…how to live for and serve the Son of God!
·
It is that lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path that guides
me through the journey of this life.
·
The Bible is that complete telling of God’s plan for salvation
for others that I am to read, understand, and communicate to this lost and
dying world…because soon, and very soon Jesus is returning.
Almighty God, as I take up my
Bible, I pray that I read it with eyes to see what you would have me to see,
with a heart prepared to receive what you would have me to receive. I am your
vessel oh Lord, fill me.
In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.
(submitted by Kerry Patton)
