What do we treasure?
After his mother said goodnight, a ten-year-old Iranian boy read his Bible under his bedcovers. Another child, only seven years old, reads his Bible “all the time,” and when he grows tired he asks his brothers to read it to him. These Iranian Children are hungry for God’s Word, and Prayforiran.org reports that an illustrated Children’s study Bible has just been completed in their language.
As long as I can remember, I’ve always owned a Bible. In fact, I now own many Bibles—pocket sized Bibles, study Bibles, and Bibles in various translations. I take for granted this selection and abundance. I certainly would not take them for granted if I were beaten for owning them. Assist News reports that an Iranian woman had this very experience—she was beaten when police found boxes of Bibles in her home.
I am reminded of David’s language in Psalm 119. He “stored up” God’s Word in his heart (v.11), his “soul is consumed with longing” for God’s rules (v.20), he delights in God’s testimonies (v.24), he longs for God’s precepts (v. 40), he loves and finds delight in God’s commandments (v. 47), he makes God’s statutes his songs (v. 54), he rises at midnight to praise God for His righteous rules (v. 62), he values the law of God’s mouth more than “thousands of gold and silver pieces” (72), and he goes on for a hundred more verses praising God’s Word.
What do we value more than thousands of pieces of gold and silver?
Convicting. I read this
I read this morning “Your statutes are my delight. They are my advisors.” (Psalm 119:24) and was meditating on all the different voices I am tempted to listen to in place of God's. Knowing there are small children in Iran who are straining to hear God through His Word is humbling, yet at the same time incredible. Give me the heart of a child, Lord, and let me simply listen to the voice of my Father and believe none other nor fear none other.
Thank you, Compass Keeper :)