Precious Words

I love the scriptures, the word of God is amazing in its depth, its precision, its veracity, and its broadness. I consider myself fairly widely read, and I have read many good book and many deep books, but I have never, NEVER found anything that even comes close to matching the scriptures even in basic literary value. However, when one studies the history of the scripture, the culture from which it arises, the personalities who wrote it. It brings an entirely new life to the scriptures. I read Peter and his exhortations to find joy in suffering and am encouraged. However when I study history and learn that, at the time of writing, the Christian church was in the midst of one of the worst persecutions it knew in its early life, that Christians were killed, often on a daily basis; when I learn that the man who wrote this was martyred, reportedly requested to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to die like Christ...now I read his writings, I read his words about suffering and I am no longer encouraged...I am awed. I know of no sufficient excuse for a Christian to avoid these studies, because they allow us to see the true worth of the book which we have been given. That is the theme of the following poem.

Forgetful minds and fainting hearts
Arrest the hope of joy
Drawing from themselves such resolved surety
That blessings are not for them

Added to this sorrowful lack
Of any such precious understanding
Which provides insight to these awesome truths
As are revealed in his true word

Such learning grants vivid life
To printed letters lain upon the page
That the mind becomes quickly lost
In the glory of their revelation

Drawn in, filled, fully and finally satisfied
By the mighty words of this sacred book
The mind stands renewed, the soul restored
Ready to step forward into new life