His mother’s Bible
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. I am Yours, save me.
Psalm 119:92–94
His mother’s Bible
It was August 1944. A long line of political prisoners stood in the reception area of a concentration camp. They had to hand over all their personal belongings.
One of the prisoners, however, wanted to keep the Bible his mother had given him when he left. At a desk, his name, age and address were recorded. Then he had to sign the document. He calmly put the Bible on the table and wrote his signature. The officer took the book in his hand and looked questioningly at the prisoner. He said quietly, “It’s my mother’s Bible.” Then the man shrugged his shoulders and gave it back to him.
Why did this young man want to save the book? He could not have said exactly: above all, probably to have a reminder of his mother in the loneliness. Then, tormented by hunger, cold and evil treatment, he began to read the Bible, and he found comfort and encouragement in it. Later he wrote: “I remember well the day when God revealed Himself to me through the Bible word: ‘In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness’ (Psalm 31:1). I began to pray as I had never prayed before. In my misery I cried out to God, and He heard my cry. God is faithful: He answered me. In His book I recognised His love revealed in Jesus. Yes, Jesus died to save the lost – to save me.”
Today’s reading: 2 Kings 25:18-30 · Psalms 112:1-10
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