During an airline flight, a woman seated next to my friend pulled out a brand-new Bible—still shrink-wrapped. My friend pointed to the unblemished book and remarked, “Now that’s a new one!”
The woman smiled and explained that her old Bible, which she quickly retrieved from her carry-on bag, was “full.” The blue-ink notes and insights she had written in its margins had left little white space in the bulging, tattered book. So, she was cracking open a new one!
It’s obvious that my friend’s co-passenger is a woman who literally clings to God’s Word. She reminds me of David, who wrote in Psalm 56, “I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised” (v.10). David wrote this song to recount his dreaded experience of being seized by the Philistines (v.1; 1 Samuel 21:11-15). He ended up having to fake being crazy to escape his enemies’ clutches. But God comforted him as he safely made it from captivity to freedom (Psalm 56:9).
Both the blue-letter woman—who expressed to my friend her great faith in Jesus—and David shared a common reason for holding on to God’s Word: Trust. “I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God” (vv.4,11).
You may not be big on writing in the margins of your Bible, but I hope you’re spending a lot of time in the Word. Without those trust-building moments of meditation, observation, and application, we can be left in a state of devastation when tough times come.
As he celebrated God’s deliverance from the Philistines, David wrote, “I can walk in Your presence, O God, in your life-giving light” (v.13). Blue letters don’t just happen and neither does deep trust in God. Keep basking in the trust-building light of His Word (Psalm 119:105).
More:
• Psalm 27:1
• John 14:1
• Hebrews 10:35
Next:
What happens to your trust in God when you neglect the Bible? How will you increase your blue-letter times spent in His Word?
micaela.titus on September 1, 2009 at 8:00 am
Thanks for this reminder! This was definitely a blessing!
sv.vanwinden on September 1, 2009 at 8:21 am
My God I though maybe i should shortly thinking about looking for a new Bible as well!!! Mine is just like a rainbow… and full of notes!! But it is so good to learn and enjoy God’s Word!!! Amen!!!
fabi on September 1, 2009 at 9:32 am
I take great delight in GOD’s Word. The more I learn about HIM the more I want to learn. It is simple Maths. Thank You LORD for Your love letters. In Jesus, Amen!
joyful on September 7, 2009 at 9:35 am
Recently i was quite disappointed with god because i applied a scholarship and i never get it even though i have good grades than the other. I felt so down and cant believe that i cant get a place on it. I blame god for everything but right now i just wanted to believe that he has a perfect plan for me. He will walk with me through every season of my life.Hope i will spend more time in His word and understand him more
jelsh on September 7, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Great reminder that His Word is not just to be read, but to be applied, to be obeyed in my life.