My Favorite Book

My favorite book may rather appeal unlikely, even unusual, to some people. While it may not be at the top of the list for some, to many it wouldn’t even be a part of their list.I haven’t really thought much about it and I haven’t exactly raved about it, but the first title that came to my mind when the question about books came up was the Holy Bible.  

In my teenage years, I had been one of those romance junkies who would rent a couple of Sweet Dreams or Mills & Boon paperback at the neighborhood book club and spend the night poring over pages of mushy love stories. Then I got into mystery and detective stories. Everything was just so addicting.

But with all these books in the house, I never got to develop any interest in reading the Bible. Our Bible had small print and didn’t have pictures so I found it boring. And being written with thees, thys, and thous didn’t help either.  

When I became a Christian 7 years ago, I was given a Devotional Study Bible in the New International Version by our church. We were then encouraged to read our Bibles and to “not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).” 

I didn’t have the appetite for reading my bible at first, but when I pursued reading, words just came out of the pages. I prayed that God would further guide me in reading His Book so that I would better understand it and He did. Not only did my readings give me direct access to God’s message, but it also gave me the chance to peek into history, to know the different Bible characters, and to learn from them. 

The Bible is full of wit, wisdom, and power unlike any other book. It’s a book on history, science, mathematics, engineering, geography, prophecies, census, law, love, romance, leadership, family, charity, adventure, finances, politics, and self-help, all rolled into one. There are tales of murder, betrayal, corruption, malice, adultery, incest, immorality, rebellion, occult, and robbery, much like what we see on the newspapers today. But more importantly, the Bible shows us where bad things came form and where they lead to.  

Additionally, the Bible is a very practical book with insights that are appropriate to our modern world. I really wonder why some people think that biblical principles are outdated. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, both written by King Solomon, offers the most sensible tips for everyday living and for making big decisions on love, marriage, career, success, parenting, etc.  

The Bible wouldn’t certainly lag behind literary artistry. Psalms is a compilation of the most amazing poetry ever written, which are mostly compositions of a man’s love, worship, and adoration to God. Song of Songs is an intricately written and passionate love story. Moreover, the Bible is filled with supernatural events that would seem to be legends, myths, or folklore if it were not for God’s presence. For suspense, the last part called Revelation is the provoking story of the ultimate war of good against evil. 

But what I really find remarkable is the fact that different men who lived in different lifetimes authored the Bible, and yet everything boils down to one message—God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation to the whole world through the person of Jesus Christ.

Amazing, isn’t it?

by sigroid75 (Viewed 383 times)