The Pony Express was an important part of early American history. It ran from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, a distance of 1900 miles. Forty men, each riding 50 miles at a stretch, dashed along the trail using 500 of the fastest horses available. The trip was made in ten days.
To keep the weight down, their clothing was very light, their saddles were small, and no weapons were carried. The horses wore small horseshoes or none at all. The mail pouches were flat and could not be larger than a certain size. Letters had to be written on very thin paper because the postage was $5.00 an ounce! However, even with all these restrictions on weight, there was something that every rider carried — a full-sized Bible.
The Bible was presented to each rider when he joined the Pony Express, and he always took it with him even with all the weight restrictions. Why? Because the Scriptures were regarded as “standard equipment.” God was important to the people in those frontier days. They realized the need of reading God’s Holy Word every day.
We, too, like the Pony Express rider, are on our way to a destination — eternity. God has arranged that He will not leave us without a compass or a guide. He has provided us with these in His precious Word — the Bible.
Is the Bible precious to you? Is it standard equipment for you every day? Do you read and study it? I hope so. “From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-1715And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15‑17).
ML-12/29/1985