There is a story told in the Sufi sect that a king asked his wise men for an advice which will come in handy in a time of trouble. An ascetic wrote few words on a piece of paper, folded it and sent it to the king with the instruction to open and read when required. The king put the paper in a locket and hung it around his neck. Years passed and the locket with its message remained around the king’s neck. There came a time when the king went to a battle and unexpectedly had to suffer defeat. As he ran for his life with the enemy in hot pursuit, his trustworthy lieutenants deserted him. He tried to make it to safety all by himself, after a strenuous run his exhausted horse also finally gave up. The king left the horse and ran for his life on foot, whilehis enemy continued to draw near. He persevered to push himself, but became too tired take it any more. All of a sudden he found himself on the edge of a deep ravine with no way out on either side. His pursuers were continually drawing nearer; he could hear the galloping sounds of their horses, approaching. With this the kinglost his courage too. He was exhausted and dejected; and collapsed face down into the grass at the edge of the ravine. Contemplating imprisonment as being inevitable, he thought it better to end his life than to live a life disgrace. As he raised himself up on his arms, to jump into the ravine and end his life, the locket around his neck with the ascetic’s advice dangled in front of him. He quickly opened it, brought out the piece of paper and read it. There, written on it was “Don’t fear, this time will not last either.” The words gave him hope and he lay down as before into the grass. The sound of his pursuer’s came somewhere near, stopped and then started receding, gradually fading away in the air. After some time the king got up and made his way back to his kingdom. Having reached his palace, he sent for the ascetic, gave him a grand welcome and said “in my most difficult time when I was ready to jump into the ravine and kill myself, it was your advice that saved me.”
What does this story teach you and me? If God’s Word dwells in our heart then, according to the situation and our needs, it will guide us. In difficult times, the only way to face all trials effectively is through this Word, it is a wonderful guide and support, therefore “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). If we store it in our hearts, it will give us the strength and capability to face all adverse situations.
History tells us that Jesus Christ died but God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ died for my sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). History tells us that three days after His death, His body could not be found but God’s Word tells us that He rose again in the same body. The truth of God’s Word is not so cheap that merely by putting on spectacles and reading it, it can be comprehended. For understanding it, it has to be believed upon from the heart and confessed with the mouth. Faith comes by hearing and increases by allowing it dwell in our hearts (Romans 10:9, 10, 17). God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11); if it is in your heart then it will accomplish its work in your life.
He who brings a message from heaven is called a prophet, but the message that God brought personally and with no of human wisdom in it, the eternal truth is known as God’s Word. Hence this Word is as true and as worthy of honor, as God Himself. Today God’s Word has come to you “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (John 14:21); “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15); “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
Have you paid heed to what God’s Word has said to you today?
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