journey onWord with us

A number of years ago, I wrote about a brief devotional I received via email that was “only a few sentences long, but the length of its personal challenge has extended for days in my own life.” A dear brother reminded me of it recently, and now I suppose its personal challenge can be measured in years. I offer its words and my own again for whatever purpose the Spirit may have for them in your precious life.

A thumbprint is the only marginalia in Abraham Lincoln’s Bible. Next to Psalm 34:4 — I sought the LORD and he answered me.  He delivered me from all my fears. — there is an indentation clearly showing that Lincoln firmly grasped this text on more than one occasion to let it sink into his bones. That thumbprint was made by pressure and by faith.

In your Bible, next to Psalm 34:4, lightly sketch an image of a thumbprint. Let this be your prayerful reminder of what impact trusting God for deliverance from fear might have on the world, both today, and tomorrow.

I’m a history guy, so this very personal revelation about President Lincoln resonated deeply with me. I am also a sensory guy, so the mention of a thumbprint indentation stirred me to the core. The author’s challenge was excellent, but instead of walking away from this treasured story with a fleeting fact and a sketched thumbprint next to that verse in my Bible, I was challenged with the following two questions.

Is there even a single thumbprint indentation in my Bible(s)?

and

On what verse or page would it appear?

I am all about an inspiring story, but I don’t desire to imitate or live anyone else’s life or faith.  This is not meant as a criticism of the author’s words or intent … I appreciated them both. There are countless famous and anonymous people who have lived with great character and conviction, and there’s not the slightest harm in being inspired by them. But rather than imitating and tracing our thumbprint in a place where there’s was, I’d humbly suggest that we allow their stories and lives to awaken, or birth something new and unique in ours.

I have many Bibles. But have any of them been used to the extent that they would bear a thumbprint indentation? Scripture is ever-present and essential in my personal journey of following Jesus.  Is there a verse, chapter or story that has “sunk into my bones,” and is there any evidence of it “made by pressure and faith?” Where is my thumbprint? Where is yours?

NOTE:  In my post years ago, I included a link in this same spot to the original devotional post distributed by the Common English Bible website. Unfortunately, the original source must have been removed or moved, so the link no longer works.