On September 2, 1933, Ruth Bell (Ruth Bell Graham) was 13 years old and moved from the mission field in China to a Boarding School in North Korea. She was especially distraught to leave her parents. During her first weeks at the school Ruth was terribly homesick. One day she approached her older sister Rosa, who also attended the school and asked her how to deal with her homesickness. God used Rosa’s advice on that day to comfort the heart of Ruth and transform her life. What was her advice you ask? Rosa told Ruth to open her Bible and find a verse and put her own name in it. Ruth turned to one of her favorite chapters in the Bible, Isaiah 53 and found verse 5.
“For He was wounded for (Ruth’s) transgressions, He was bruised for (Ruth’s) iniquities; the chastisement of (Ruth’s) peace was upon Him, and by His stripes (Ruth) is healed.”
Ruth’s heart was encouraged and her healing began that day!
Too often we read our Bibles and fail to recognize that the words we read are written for us. Yes, we recognize the sin in our world, but do we recognize the sin in our lives? Rosa’s advice is sound advice for all of us. The Bible is written specifically for us. So as we read it, let’s insert our names and allow God to transform our lives.
“For God so loved (Insert your name) that He gave His only begotten Son, that (Insert your name) who believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
