Dick, Jane and Spot

          I think one of the greatest blessings I have had in my life is the ability to read and write. It all began at Weller Avenue Elementary school where I was introduced to my first reading book which had the story of the family of Dick and Jane and their dog, Spot. I loved reading. It was so exciting that I couldn't stop reading that book. The teacher found out and taped my book shut as I was going too far ahead. I just loved reading and caught myself being caught up in the affairs of Dick, Jane and Spot. I praise God for the ability to read today and the availability of the Word of God. Psalm 119:9-11 says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

          There are a lot of books in the world today. You can own a Kindle that will allow you to download book after book, many of them free and many others for a charge of less than a dollar. Most of all, my electronic devices can download the complete Bible absolutely free along with those other books. How great it is to have the ability to read! We can rejoice in that wonderful blessing and at the same time realize that there are, I have been told, over two billion people who cannot read. That means that they cannot reap the blessings of reading the Scriptures for themselves. They cannot read the words of Psalm 119 as the Psalmist declares His love for the Word of God in 176 verses. All but five of those verses speak of the Word of God in one way or another. Yes, we have been blessed and naturally if you are reading this devotion, you too, have the ability to read. You can choose what you read and how much time you spend reading it. Dick and Jane taught me to read but it prepared me to go on to read the Scriptures years later. Reading can take you on journeys to distant lands and to even enjoy the smells and sounds through the written page. Most of all, reading relates to us the character of God and shows us His wonderful love as mentioned in the Gospel of John. Here, the Son of God came to this earth because of the love of the Father for a sinful person like me. We can read of Calvary and what took place on the cross and can hear the screaming people demanding the death of the Sinless Savior. Then, we can walk with women down to the tomb on Sunday morning only to find the stone rolled away and the body gone and then to hear the angels say, “He is not here, for He has risen as He said.” We can read this and tons of other things about God and you soon find that in all of the books of the world, the most important one is that one that is on your coffee table, or the book shelf in the den, or in your office, your purse, or on your Kindle, it is the Word of God. So, praise God today for His Word and the ability you possess to read it. Take some time and Praise God for His Word and then to spend some moments in His wonderful Word today.