Isaiah 53:5

     The Power that created the whole world is in the Word of God.   You can get to know the Power.  The Power is Jesus.  There is a way to read your Bible that will make Jesus real to you.  You will find thousands of promises in your Bible.  To really know Jesus, you must think of His promises as being especially for you.  Practice putting your own name into every promise in the Bible.

     A sea captain, who had never given his heart to Jesus, was stricken with a fatal disease in mid-ocean.  The ship’s doctor said, “Captain, you cannot live more than 24 hours.”  The old captain was terrified.  He was not ready to die.  He demanded that someone from his crew come and read the Bible to him and pray for him.

     After a time, the cook’s boy, little Willie Platt, quietly entered the captain’s quarters.  The captain said, “Willie, I want you to read something about God having mercy on a sinner like me.” 

     At first the boy did not know what text to read, but after searching, he finally found a verse that he could use.  His mother had marked it before she had died.  Willie read, “But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

     The captain said, “That sounds like what I need.  Read it again.”

     Encouraged by the captain’s response, Willie said, “Captain, I would like to read this verse the way my mother taught me to read it.”

     “That will be fine, Willie,” said the captain.

     Slowly and reverently Willie read, “Jesus was wounded for Willie Platt’s transgressions, Jesus was bruised for Willie Platt’s iniquities: the chastisement of Willie Platt’s peace was upon Jesus; and with Jesus’ stripes, Willie Platt is healed.”

     By this time, the captain was halfway over the edge of the bed.  He said, “Son, read it again and put your old captain’s name in there.”

     Then Willie again reverently read, “Jesus was wounded for John Clout’s transgressions, Jesus was bruised for John Clout’s iniquities: the chastisement of John Clout’s peace was upon Jesus; and with Jesus’ stripes Captain John Clout is healed.”

     The captain fell back upon his pillow and repeated over and over again this beautiful text, putting his own name into it every time.  Finally, light from heaven broke in upon his darkened soul.  He gave his heart to Jesus.

     I want to put my name into this text, don’t you?  Let’s read Hebrews 13:5 and insert our names in it.  Jesus says, “I will never leave [your name], nor forsake [your name].”  What a wonderful promise!  We will never be alone, because Jesus will be with us!

     Take time daily for your own Bible reading and prayer.  This is best done first thing in the morning, because then you can carry the blessing with you all day.

Temkit