To Him That Hath Not: Preparation for the Lord's Day
Posted 01-31-2015 at 10:16 AM by NT Fellowship
Susie was undisciplined in her Bible reading. Each year she’d find a new program or chart for reading her Bible. Each year—around March or April—she’d drop out of her plan for one reason or another. Leviticus confused her. Numbers bored her. The Revelation of John and several minor prophets frightened her. Susie didn’t want to read the four gospels one after another, because it seemed too repetitious. She tired of the Proverbs, because they seemed so “negative.”
Then Susie tried different versions of the Bible. “The King James Version is so wearisome,” she complained. So, she bought a New International Version on sale; and the New Living Translation for weekends. “The Message” was in a charming color that matched her favorite Sunday dress, and the New English Version seemed fascinating. But when she found important words and sections in the text changed or missing, she hastily returned to her King James Bible; only to have her reading fall out of habit again.
One night Susie had a dream. In her dream she saw a long line of people standing in the shadows. Young and old, from Australia to Azerbaijan, from Tibet to Tanzania, from the North to South and East to West, people of all colors and from every nation stood. The eyes of each were full of longing, and their empty hands stretched out, trying to reach...Susie couldn’t quite tell what.
Then she heard someone speak. “I once had a page of this Book, and learned of Him who died for me!” Another said reverently, “Our village had the Gospel of Luke. We have waited for years to see if there is more of our Saviour to learn.” Yet another person cried, “We have heard of One who is to come, but His words we have never seen.” Another said, “My father was put to death for owning this Book. He and the Book were burned at the stake. Yet his death was such that makes me long for this Book, too.”
Stricken, Susie saw the multitude raise their hands to the sky. “Who will give to us this Bread of Life?” they cried.
Then Susie saw a second crowd. This line, shorter than the first, enjoyed a fair amount of light. It was compiled mostly of people from the West. They spoke of their own disinterest in the Living Bread. “I grew weary of reading the Law,” sighed one. “I could not figure out the symbolic language,” complained another. “I had too much to do to read every day,” intoned another.
“Take the Bibles from those who will not use them!” commanded a Voice. “Then give the Bread of Life to him that hath not. Feed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be filled.”
Angels swiftly disarmed those from the West of their Bibles; and generously distributed them amongst the spiritually ravenous of the world. The hungry people rejoiced, for they who had once walked in darkness now saw a great Light.
“What shall we do?” cried those who no longer had the Word. “How shall we live without the Bible?” As darkness fell upon them, some lit candles. A few had memorized passages of Scripture, and passed it out to those who had none. Some became disheartened, and walked away from the Light entirely. Others fell on their faces and repented for the wasted years when they had plenty, but had squandered their eternal resources.
Then Susie awoke. Tears running down her face, she pled for forgiveness, and began that day to feast from God’s Word.
Then Susie tried different versions of the Bible. “The King James Version is so wearisome,” she complained. So, she bought a New International Version on sale; and the New Living Translation for weekends. “The Message” was in a charming color that matched her favorite Sunday dress, and the New English Version seemed fascinating. But when she found important words and sections in the text changed or missing, she hastily returned to her King James Bible; only to have her reading fall out of habit again.
One night Susie had a dream. In her dream she saw a long line of people standing in the shadows. Young and old, from Australia to Azerbaijan, from Tibet to Tanzania, from the North to South and East to West, people of all colors and from every nation stood. The eyes of each were full of longing, and their empty hands stretched out, trying to reach...Susie couldn’t quite tell what.
Then she heard someone speak. “I once had a page of this Book, and learned of Him who died for me!” Another said reverently, “Our village had the Gospel of Luke. We have waited for years to see if there is more of our Saviour to learn.” Yet another person cried, “We have heard of One who is to come, but His words we have never seen.” Another said, “My father was put to death for owning this Book. He and the Book were burned at the stake. Yet his death was such that makes me long for this Book, too.”
Stricken, Susie saw the multitude raise their hands to the sky. “Who will give to us this Bread of Life?” they cried.
Then Susie saw a second crowd. This line, shorter than the first, enjoyed a fair amount of light. It was compiled mostly of people from the West. They spoke of their own disinterest in the Living Bread. “I grew weary of reading the Law,” sighed one. “I could not figure out the symbolic language,” complained another. “I had too much to do to read every day,” intoned another.
“Take the Bibles from those who will not use them!” commanded a Voice. “Then give the Bread of Life to him that hath not. Feed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be filled.”
Angels swiftly disarmed those from the West of their Bibles; and generously distributed them amongst the spiritually ravenous of the world. The hungry people rejoiced, for they who had once walked in darkness now saw a great Light.
“What shall we do?” cried those who no longer had the Word. “How shall we live without the Bible?” As darkness fell upon them, some lit candles. A few had memorized passages of Scripture, and passed it out to those who had none. Some became disheartened, and walked away from the Light entirely. Others fell on their faces and repented for the wasted years when they had plenty, but had squandered their eternal resources.
Then Susie awoke. Tears running down her face, she pled for forgiveness, and began that day to feast from God’s Word.
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