Holding It!

It has been said "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." The two in the bush may potentially be caught, but the one in the hand has already been gained. However, WHAT we are holding, HOW we are holding it, and WHERE it is being held is also important to consider. This is no more true than with regard to God's Word. Having many Bibles sitting on the shelves of our homes or even resting on a desk or coffee table may be considered a grand thing. After all, there are people in places around the world who would love to have just one copy of the Scriptures. Still, is that mere presence enough? We may be seen holding the Bible in our hands and thus be viewed as believing it, but simply holding the book and carrying it around is not where the true significance rests. Where the contents of that book are being held is of utmost importance!

To some who claimed to hold to the Scriptures, but would not accept Jesus, He said. . .
"(37) And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, (38) and YOU DO NOT HAVE HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. (39) You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, (40) yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." ( John 5:37-40 ESV)

Later on Jesus would also say regarding His own teaching. . .
"I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because MY WORD FINDS NO PLACE IN YOU." ( John 8:37 ESV)

There is the need not to simply own a copy or even hold it in our hands, but to HOLD IT WITHIN. There is the need to INTERNALIZE the message. It is through taking the message WITHIN that our entire life can be impacted by it.

Remember the words of the psalmist when he stated. . .
"(10) WITH MY WHOLE HEART I SEEK YOU; let me not wander from your commandments! (11) I have STORED UP YOUR WORD IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST YOU." ( Psalm 119:10-11 ESV)

Allowing the Word of God to have its RIGHTFUL PLACE WITHIN us -- a treasure continually drawn from and stored up IN THE HEART -- is the key to its greatest influence in our life.

Have a great day EMPOWERED FOR LIVING BY GOD'S ABIDING WORD!
Carl

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