An interesting item came up in the news recently when a family in Massachusetts received a letter that had been lost in the mail system for 76 years. A World War II sergeant had written home to his mother while stationed in Germany in December of 1945. Unfortunately, the letter never made it to his mother, but instead arrived nearly eight decades later into the hands of his wife. By the time it had arrived, the sergeant had passed away, but his widow was still amazed, proclaiming, “I just couldn’t believe it. And then just his handwriting and everything. It was just so amazing. It’s like he came back to me, you know?” (https://www.nbcbnews.com/news/us-news/wwii-soldiers-letter-delivered-mother-76-years-later-rcna11314 )
It got me thinking, the Bible is full of letters. In fact, most of the New Testament is comprised of letters to individuals and churches. They have a lot to say, but, even more importantly, for those that receive them (both then and now), they can bring so much joy. In response to an inquiry he once received about the Bible, the Rev. Billy Graham remarked, “The Bible is God’s ‘love letter’ to us, telling us not only that He loves us, but showing us what He has done to demonstrate His love. It also tells us how we should live, because God knows what is best for us and He wants us to experience it.” (https://seattlepi.com/news/article/Billy-Graham-Bible-is-God-s-love-letter-to-us-1246557.php)
The Bible is a letter written to all of us, conveying not just rules or ancient stories, but raw emotion. God communicates with us through the reading of Scripture and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When we study the pages of text, we can hear how God is working in the world – both then and now. Without it, we can easily lose connection.
When was the last time that you sat down and read God’s letter to you? I pray that it hasn’t been 76 years or one year, or even one day. God has so much to tell us each and every moment of our lives. So, perhaps today, we can follow Rev. Graham’s advice: “pray as you read, and ask God to help you understand what He wants to say to you through the passage. Don’t give up, but let God use His Word to change you every day.” (ibid)
Blessings be upon you all,
Pastor Steve