The Book That Is Alive

Ann Preston was a simple Irish lady who lived nearly 100 years ago. Her education began and ended in little more than a week, but in that time she exhausted the patience of her teacher. After many vain attempts to teach her the first letters of the alphabet, he gave her a tap upon the head as he remarked before the class, "Poor Ann! She can never learn anything." With this he sent her home in disgrace.

Years later, Ann became a Christian and her first prayer was, "O Lord, couldn't you enable me to read one of these things?" She put her finger on John 4:14 and began to read: "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give shall never thirst." Eventually Ann could freely read the Word of God although she could never read any other book.

Her friend once put before Ann a paper and watched her try in vain to decipher some of the smaller words. Finally, Ann pointed to one word and said, "That seems to be 'lord,' but I don't think it is my Lord, as my heart doesn't burn while I see it." The friend looked at the paper and saw her finger on the word "lord," but it was a war report telling of Lord Roberts' achievements.

The Bible is unlike any other book. "The Holy Spirit imparted a power to the words which makes them permanently living and effective," wrote W. E. Vine in Divine Inspiration of the Bible. Again and again the scriptures declare that these are supernatural words with life in them.

The Gospel doesn't just tell of God's power. "The gospel...is the power of God" (Romans 1:16). When we willingly respond to the Word, we discover its power. A single phrase can comfort or transform us. We simply need to receive it and believe it.

Thank You, dear Lord, that as I take in Your Word today, I receive power to obey.

"For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power" (Hebrews 4:12 Amp.).

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