Fillinng the Pantry

         We, in America, like to be well stocked on any given item in our homes, “just in case.” I used to be a Safeway store clerk while in Bible School. When the threat of snow appeared, people would fill the store to purchase three things: bread, milk and toilet paper. Long lines could be seen from the front to the back of the store, at times, as people wanted to make sure they had enough to get through the storm. Being overstocked, which is what happens much of the time, ends up becoming waste as the bread gets moldy and the milk sours. Many have a “Sam's Club” mentality where we purchase in large amounts and then store it somewhere in the home. Three giant jars of peanut butter have lasted me over a year or more. Sometimes we don't use what we have. What about our Bible? Does it get used frequently? Is a Bible nearby that you can pick up and read? Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

        Again, let's think about the average American, especially those who are reading this and perhaps a lot more, that have the opportunity to read Scriptures at any time of the day without fear, so far, of any repercussions from the government or anyone else for that matter. At what length would you go to read your Bible today? Would you be willing to risk your life to climb up a tree and put up a movable satellite dish to download a copy of God's Word so it could be played to a group of people who could not read? Perhaps you might be a person in a country that has a law against having a Bible. Would you read it anyway? We mention Psalm 119 many times because it shows how much the Psalmist loved the Word of God. Most of us are not that way. We don't have the attitude of the Psalmist but rather just aim for a small portion of the Bible, ten verses here and there, or a chapter now and then. We feel content to get a portion during times when we couldn't do anything else, so we pick it up and get a smattering of Scripture to appease our conscience. For some, the Bible will be very low on one's priority and probably after one is bored with Candy Crush. We attended a Wycliffe gathering recently and were once again challenged by the need in the world for getting the Scriptures to a lost and dying world and one in which so many people are still longing for the message of God in their language. Our desire to help others get the Bible is great but does it reflect our own love for the Word itself? Perhaps when persecution comes more people will long for the message of the Scriptures. One often does not value something that cost him nothing. Free courses have a high dropout rate, while a course that has a fee attached will have a lower dropout rate in the end. How much time will we spend in God's Word today or even for the rest of the week. You cannot become overstocked with God's Word. It should become a part of your daily life. It will in fact, change your life. Take time today to be in His Word and may we all hide a portion in our hearts today. Praise God for sending us His Word.