For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. – Hebrews 4:12
A recent survey by LifeWay Research on our nation’s Bible reading habits, including believers and evangelicals, indicated that even though 8 out of 10 households in America owned a Bible (up to three on average), more than half said they had read little or none of the Bible recently. Men were more likely to skip Bible reading than women.
In contrast, a recent interview on Voice of the Martrys (VOM) radio with Merv Knight, co-founder of VOM in Australia and Board Director for over 50 years, recounted this story of his visit to a underground church in China some years ago. It may help explain why the Chinese Church has exploded in growth over the past half century and, even under increasing severe persecution today, is predicted to become the country with the largest number of believers in the world while American church growth statistics remain tepid at best.
Mr. Knight recounts:
“Have you ever been in a situation where it’s too inconvenient for you to read the Bible? Perhaps this story about a house church in China I visited will encourage you. After people quietly arrived at different times to avoid suspicion, the group leader went over and checked the door, making sure it was locked. Then he went over to each window and made sure that the shades were drawn down. Satisfied that they were secure he went over near the fireplace where he wriggled one of the bricks, which was a little loose, and he slid it out. Behind the brick was a cavity. He reached his hand into the space and pulled out a tattered Bible and a handful of tracts for the believers to use and study while they were together. At the end of their time together, the process was reversed.” All present heard the Word of God!
How about you dear saint? How important is God’s Word in your daily reading habits? Is it, as the psalmist acknowledges to God, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105)? Is it, as Jesus prayed to God in our behalf, “Father, sanctify them with Your truth. Your Word is truth” (John 17:17)? Is it, as Jesus proclaimed when tempted by the devil, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4)?
It’s not too late to change old habits. Maranatha!
EPILOGUE:
“I want to know one thing, the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. Give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God!” – John Wesley
