MARIE lived a long time ago in a small village up in the mountains of Aveyron, in the south of France. Just how it came about I do not know, but somehow, Marie had heard some of the wonderful stories in the Bible, and had learned a little about the Lord Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. Very earnestly, she asked everyone she met in her own village, if they had ever seen a Bible, or knew where she could get one. Among them all, there was just one old man who had seen a Bible, and he was sure he had seen a store in Nimes, where they actually sold Bibles. That was sad news for Marie, for Nimes was 70 miles from her home, and she had no money.
But the more she thought about it, the more she decided that she just must have a Bible to read. She had two pet rabbits that she loved very much, and she planned to sell her pets, or exchange them for a Bible.
It must have taken Marie a very long time to reach Nimes, for she walked all the way, with her two rabbits in a basket over her arm. But at last she arrived at the big city, and asked for the shop where they sold Bibles. There she offered her two rabbits in exchange for a Bible, and was delighted when the offer was accepted, and she was given a Bible of her own.
When Marie at last reached her home up in the mountains, she was able to share her treasure with others, and she could often be seen reading aloud from her precious Book, to the neighbors.
Do you wonder why I have told you this story? I'm sure you wouldn't have to walk 140 miles to have a Bible of your own. More than likely, you have one of your very own right now, or at least there is one in your home. But it will do you no good to have a Bible, unless you read it and believe its wonderful message. The message of the Bible tells you and me that we are sinners, and that we can do nothing at all to put away our own sins. It also tells us that we must meet God someday, and that He knows all about our sins. But oh, the wonderful news is this. God loved you and me so very much that He gave His own dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that those- sins might be blotted out forever.
Messages of the Love of God 3/16/1958