God's Word makes me smile

This past year as I read through the Bible, a few passages made me smile.  I thought I’d share them and maybe bring a smile to your face.

“A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.” Mark 14:51-52 

            I smile because I have no idea why this in the Bible.  It’s random.

“One of the experts in the law answered him [Jesus], ‘Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.’” Luke 11:45 

            I smile because this man didn't realize that Jesus was more concerned about his eternal life than about offending him.  I sometimes miss Jesus' point also.

 [Jesus has spent the previous 29 verses explaining that he is God’s Son, the promised Messiah] “Why is my language not clear to you?” John 8:43 

            I smile because I’ve experienced similar conversations with my kids.  I spend ten minutes explaining how to do laundry only to receive blank stares when I assign them the chore.  I want to ask the same question, "Why is my language not clear to you?"

“Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction.  So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.  But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.  I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”  Jer. 20:8-9 

            I smile because I empathize with Jeremiah.  Sometimes sharing God’s word is difficult because it doesn’t always make people feel good, but ignoring the prompting from the Holy Spirit to speak God's word feels like fire in my heart that I cannot suppress.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel.” Ex. 24:9 

            I smile because God always has something new for me when I read the Bible.  Even though I’ve read Exodus many times, this year was the first time I realized this verse makes it clear that 74 people saw the Lord, and as the next verses explain, they lived. 

[God is talking] “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8 

            I smile because God wants to be with his people.  That just makes me feel important. 

Reading God’s word encourages me in so many ways.  I praise him for it and I am thankful for the men who faithfully wrote each word.