Judges 1:14-15, Psalm 119:9-16, Psalm 119:105

Suzie Brock inspires love for God and His word

Suzie Brock

I love the Bible. I have found it to be the greatest tangible source of help, encouragement and wisdom of anything in my life. Reading the Bible sharpens my ears to the sound of God's voice; it makes me familiar with it. His voice written down and it never ceases to amaze me that scriptures I have read a thousand times can still leap off the page and give me new revelations. It is crazy that after 40 years of reading it, I still find 'hidden gems' and expanded understanding. I love reading the same scripture in three or four versions, each version being like a beam of light hitting a clear prism, breaking off into different glorious colours, and then somehow striking through my heart in brilliance.

When I first met Jesus at the age of 15, a young believer my same age told me I should read the Bible now that I knew Jesus. I explained that I had actually picked it up before and that it was hard to understand and way over my head; she then proceeded to tell me that it would be different now, as the author lived in my heart and would explain it to me. Wow. That was intriguing. So I tried again and I haven't stopped since.

I love that when I'm not reading, when I'm doing life and at times needing help, that I hear the words I've read, not in the way of recalling instructions in a manual, but more like hearing the words as if they're being spoken by a loved one leaning over my shoulder and whispering help in my hear. I have come to realise that that is exactly what is going on; the Author himself whispers and unlocks the truths not only in my ear, but in my heart. I love His word and the Bible is His word; His voice written down.

It is funny how I will see scriptures that I never noticed before and they will somehow pull me in as if they were suddenly uncovered just for me. I get that excitement of wanting to share them and like a little kid not knowing any better I sometimes believe I may have been the first to see it.

I stumbled on one the other day as I was reading my Bible. It was in Judges and it was such a strange and obscure little passage, seemingly not having anything to do with any other part of the chapter...it was just 'there'. It was about Caleb's daughter Aksah, after having been given in marriage to a man named Othniel:

'One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?" She replied, "Do me a special favour. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.' Judges 1:14-15 NIV

That's it, that is all there is to that story; just stuck in there like an after thought. It doesn't go on to talk about what came of the field or streams or even of them!

She was just a girl, receiving a gift and then asking for more. That scripture leapt off the page and flicked on a switch in my heart! I'm sure I had read it before, yet never saw it. I suddenly I felt as though the Lord was personally shining a spot light on that verse and urging me to pay attention.

I grabbed hold of that scripture like a personal hand written note dropped down from the heavens, signed sealed and delivered by God Himself! He was saying, ask for more Suzie, and ask for streams too! In a very personal and special way I knew exactly what the Lord was saying to me and I have been asking for 'streams too' ever since. I'm seeing those streams, living in them and thanking God daily for the loving personal relationship I have with Him and for His word so freely spoken to me.

'How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.' Psalm 119:9-16 MSG

'Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.' Psalm 119:105 (NLT)