A little girl saved enough money in her money-box to buy her father, whom she loved very much, a birthday present.
But what should she buy?
This was a puzzle. She, however, did the best and wisest thing—she prayed about it, that the Lord Jesus, whom she trusted and knew as her Saviour, would guide her. So she decided that, as her father never read the Bible, she would buy him one! This she did, and prayed again that he might be induced to read it, and be made “wise unto salvation.”
“Now,” she said to herself, “what shall I put on the flyleaf?”
She thought on: “From Maggie,” but that seemed too cold. Then again she thought: “From your little daughter,” might do; but had not her father told her that very day that she was growing a big girl? Would, “from one who loves you!” do? Scarcely, for quite a lot of others loved him too! What was she to do?
A fresh thought struck her, and away she went to her father’s study, where there were piles of books, and examined them. All at once she came across the front page, of quite a large volume, which had his name on it, and underneath: “From the Author:”
Yes, that would do exactly.
The next morning, at the breakfast table, when her father received her present (with a smile), he was struck with the inscription written on its front inside the cover in his dear child’s handwriting, “From the Author.” He thought who is He? I don’t know Him. I will read and find out if the Book can tell me!
Under the guidance of the Spirit of truth, he did discover the Author of this sacred volume. Afterward he became an earnest Gospel preacher, and often did he hold up the little Bible given to him and relate the story connected with it— the story of his conversion!
Dear boys and girls, the Bible is indeed the precious and priceless gift from God to all; which He has composed (2 Pet. 1:19-21), and which He has compiled (put together) (2 Tim. 3:15, 16), and in which He commends His own love to us (Rom. 5:8).
Let us then accept it, read it, believe it, confess it, and tell to others that it is a love gift for them “from the Author.”
The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.
ML 08/23/1936