Minute Musings...Precious

1 Samuel 3:1b  "And the word of the LORD was precious in those days:"

What a tremendous statement to be made about the word of God...it was precious!
It made me stop and think about what I consider precious today.  The dictionary
definition of the word precious is, "of great value or price;  costly;  highly esteemed."
What do you have in your life that would fit this definition?  Sadly, and too our
shame, I don't believe many could put the word of God in this category.

My dad used to tell the story of a young Russian girl who longed to have a Bible.
She heard about someone many miles away that had one.  For months she would
make the long trek to this persons home.  She spent all night writing out by hand
the Bible.  She had such a longing to have God's word that this was a joy to her,
a labour of love.  In the end she had her own copy of the Bible.  Would you go to
this length in order to have a copy of the Bible?  Unfortunately, there is not that
great of value on God's word.

Psalms 119:167  "My soul hath kept Thy testimonies:  and I love them
exceedingly."  Do we love God's testimonies exceedingly?  I cringe when I see
the careless way God's holy word is treated.  Bibles are thrown around, not
treated like the priceless gift they are.  God's commands are disregarded and
not taken seriously.  People pick and choose which part of the Bible to believe
and obey and toss the rest aside.  God's word is changed in order to back up
whatever belief that is held.  This is all so wrong, it is a sin!  Every word in the
Holy Bible is from God Himself!

John 1:1,2 & 14  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His
glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace, and truth." 
Our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ IS the Word.  This book that we
are so mightily blessed to hold in our hands, is a living Word.  Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two
edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart."  God's Word is the ONLY book that has the power to change
lives.  "The word of God is quick" that means that it is alive.  Do you know
another book that can make that claim and back it up with proof!

History holds the record of the many times the destruction and annihilation
of the Word of God has been attempted and then failed.  God Word will endure,
and there is nothing that man...or Satan can do to change that fact.  God's word
will stand indestructible for time and eternity.

Today as you hold the precious Word of God in your hands, thank God for
the privilege you have to do so.  There are many in this world that do not have
this blessings, and would give up everything they have for a chance to have
a Bible.  They know that it is of great value, costly and is highly esteemed. 
Do you?  Isaiah 40:8  "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:  but the
word of our God shall stand for ever."

How I love Thy law, O Lord!
Daily joy its truths afford;
In its constant light I go,
Wise to conquer every foe.

Thy commandments in my heart,
Truest wisdom can impart;
To my eyes Thy precepts show,
Wisdom more than sages know.

While my heart Thy word obeys,
I am kept from evil ways;
From Thy law, with Thee to guide,
I have never turned aside.

Sweeter are Thy words to me,
Than all other good can be;
Safe I walk, Thy truth my light,
Hating falsehood, loving right.

                                      William B. Bradbury