If we asked little Karen, “Have you ever tried to hide your Bible?” I am sure she would say, “Of course not.” She is holding it up for us all to see, and we hope she will always love it, as she does now.
But Bibles were not always as easy to buy or to keep as they are today. Only a very few families had one, and it was guarded most carefully. In those long ago days there were many who hated the Bible with such rage that they used to travel about searching homes and destroying Bibles, and even killing those who refused to give them up. Many a Bible was hidden in those days.
Jeannette lived with her father and mother in a little home in Scotland, and in that humble home they had a Bible. How they did love that Book! Every day they would read its precious pages and they rejoiced logo her in file good news that God had met their need in providing a Saviour in the person of His very own Son, the Lord Jesus. Jeannette used to love to read that verse, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John.3:17.
One day her father came home with stirring news. There were armed man coming through the country hurtling Bibles, and some dear Christians had been killed.
“We must escape at once,” he said, “and take our Bible with us.”
So they started off at night, carrying some of their possessions with them and trying to keep away from the roads so that they might not be seen. Before long they came to a wide stream, but they feared to cross the bridge lest they should be discovered and their precious Bible taken from them. They found a place where the water was not too deep and tried to wade across.
“Here, Jeannette my girl,” said her father, “you hold this Bible while I lead your mother across, and then I will come back for you.”
Poor Jeannette! it was so dark, and she could hear her father splashing through the water. She felt alone and a little bit frightened too, for she thought she could hear the sound of loud voices in the distance, and she feared she and her Bible would he discovered.
Quietly lifting her heart in prayer to God for help, she stepped into the water and started across the stream. Oh how strong and cold the waters seemed—but she thought of her dear Bible and struggled on. Higher and higher the water came as she neared the center of the stream. She held the Bible high above her head and carefully went forward feeling for each step lest she should slip and fall. All at once she heard splashing footsteps coming towards her. Her father was coming back to meet her!
“Take the Bible, Father. It is safe and dry!” Father quickly took the Bible and at the same time grasped his brave daughter’s hand, and together they reached the other side. I am glad to say that they were safely hidden, and that the same precious Book that was guarded on day is still kept and loved in a home in Scotland.
Years later, as Jeannette was dying, she suddenly held her hands up above her head and cried, “Take my Bible, my dear old Bible!” Do you love your Bible, young reader? Its pages tell you—
First. You are a sinner— “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).
Second. You cannot save yourself “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
Third. Christ Jesus alone can save you— “Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
Pick up your Bible and read these four verses and accept the loving Saviour. Then you will love your Bible as Jeannette loved hers.
ML 01/11/1953