Daily Read - 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9
   
Dear Father, Your Word anchors me during tumultuous times and brings me into high places when floodwaters rage. 
 
It is my treasure box filled with abundant wealth, free and clear from the destruction of moth and rust.
 
I find my resting place in the shelter of Your Word for it hides me from the roaring lion of deception that seeks my demise.
 
My heart rejoices as I read and meditate upon Your precepts because they cause faith and trust to arise in my soul.
 
Your instruction brings comfort to me for it lovingly guides and orders my steps keeping me on the path of righteousness.
 
The Word answers my deepest heart cries for it knows all things and searches all things.
 
I find daily sustenance in Your Word for it is living bread and manna filling me with everything I need.
 
Your Word brings health and healing to my body for it is divine medicine strengthening me and making me whole.
 
Everyday Your Word speaks to me in a personal intimate way, piercing into the deepest parts of who I am.
 
The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart - Hebrews 4:12
 
The Word is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. It is everything I need whenever I need it. I hold it dear to my heart and cherish every word.  
 
I am one of the privileged few in this world who actually get to touch and read this precious treasure in freedom without fear. Remind Me to always pray for my brothers and sisters in other nations who receive severe consequences if found with this glorious book in their possession. The cost is great, even if it means laying down their lives in martyrdom. To many, obtaining one page is a miraculous move of God!
 
Lord, You give Your Word freely to me, but it costs me everything. Lord, the cost You paid to give us Your Word. Oh Lord, the cost others pay to receive Your Word. Oh Lord, the cost I choose to pay.
   
The following story is taken from the book Jesus Freaks written by DC Talk and Voice of the Martyrs. It is shocking, thought provoking and true! 
 
It is a story of a young 17 year old girl in Asia during the 1970s.

The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study. As the pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer pointed his gun at the pastor's head. "Hand me your Bible," he demanded.
 
Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet. He glared at the small congregation. "We will let you go," he growled, "but first, you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot." The believers had no choice but to obey the officer's order.
 
A soldier pointed his gun at one of the men. "You first." The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, "Father, please forgive me." He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave.
 
"Okay, you!" the soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded. She spit only a little, but it was enough. She too was allowed to leave.
 
Quietly, a young girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dress. "What have they done to Your Word? Please forgive them," she prayed.