The Precious Book - 3 Views
The Psalmist says, "I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great treasure." (Ps. 119:162). The fact that God, the Creator of the universe, would choose to reveal Himself to sinful rebels like us is an astounding thought. It ought to blow our minds that we have the awesome privilege of reading His very word. And yet we often don't. We in the West have unprecedented access to the Word of God, and because it seems to cost us so little, we fail to understand its true value. In the following three accounts, we see a different story. Though the names and precise circumstances are fictitious, each story is based upon actual events:
Etok's Story - Papua New Guinea
Chief Etok sat beside his hut
And whittled down a stick he'd cut
His life had never been the same
Since loving missionaries came.
To speak of Christ whom they adore
They faced malaria and more
Their sacrifices were so dear
The Chief their message wished to hear.
With joy, from scriptures they'd describe:
"Christ's blood was shed for every tribe"
The old headhunter's conscience burned
When of sin's awful cost he learned.
God changed his blindness into sight
Now Jesus was his great delight.
But one complaint could still be heard
He wanted access to God's word:
"I wish we had a Bible too
But there is nothing we can do!
For bookless tribes in jungles deep
Translation costs aren't very cheap.
Yes, they must first devise a script
So that our language is equipped
To carry words they'll print with ink
Within the way we speak and think
It is a lifetime's daunting task
'But how much longer?' we still ask.
It's such a cause for sighs and tears
We know it will take many years.
I wish we had just one in reach
There's plenty in the English speech
From dozens they can simply choose
They fight about which one to use!
I long to hold one in my hands
And know of God's decrees and plans.
I wonder now with baited breath
Will they complete it ‘ere my death?"
Tsun Chung’s Story - China
Pastor Tsun Chung was filled with praise
He thought it was the best of days
His world indeed seemed very bright
Even though it was actually night.
T'was dark, except for starlit skies
By daylight this would be unwise
He worked by night, his walk was shrewd
The policeman’s eyes he must elude.
The laws of men he could not heed
His flock needs Bibles they can read
Printed for them in distant lands
And smuggled in by foreign hands.
Soon they'd receive this treasured wealth
And so he waited there in stealth
But something dreadful happened next
His phone received a shocking text:
"Our shipment won't come through today
The police are headed straight your way!
They found our second storage bin
Get out of there while you still can!"
He hastened from that secret place
And running, tears rolled down his face
His joy had turned to great despair
And so He cried in silent prayer:
"Lord, You've entrusted me these sheep
The thought of it just makes me weep!
I fast and pray, I long and look
They still don't have Your precious book!
I cannot bear this great delay
How can they test the things I say?
They need Your word much more than food
Without it, all their thoughts are skewed!
How can they know Your mind and heart
And from Your precepts not depart?
Lord, help them not to slip and drift
Please bring the Scriptures; bring them swift!"
Amineh's Story - Syria
Amineh's country now was torn
T'was different back when she was born.
Her father a respected man
Among a peaceful Muslim clan.
Brought up within Islamic thought
She never questioned what they taught
Until she heard a friend's appeal
To read a book, the true Injil. [1]
Within her thoughts, she did surmise:
"Investigation would be wise
Surely this book is fine, you see
It's talked about in Surah three!"
Reading, she learned of Jesus Christ
Who for her sins was sacrificed
A change occurred, her heart was stirred
As God bore witness to His Word.
She knew her family she must tell
But it did not go very well
They shunned her, she was called a curse
When ISIS came, her lot was worse.
Supposing she had badly strayed
These were the charges which they laid:
"Mohammed's ways you have forsook
And joined the 'people of the book'
This is a true Islamic state
Sharia rules our Caliphate
You don't deserve another breath
Apostates must be put to death!
We hate the awful lies you've spun:
Allah's too pure to have a son!
Isa's a prophet, nothing more!
Your triune doctrine we abhor!
Recant of all your blasphemy!"
She stated, "That could never be!"
Steadfast because God's word she read
They drew the sword, and she was dead.
[1] Injil is an Arabic term for the Gospel of Jesus. In the Quran (Surah 3:3), it is positively referred to as a previous divine revelation alongside the Torah. Many Christians use the Quran’s endorsement of the Injil as an apologetic argument when encouraging Muslims to read the New Testament for themselves.