By the way, Macks, I just got done reading your book on Humility. It was a tremendous blessing. Thank you for your contribution.

Knowing firsthand the blessing and privelege of teaching God’s word publicly, two things come to mind when considering this subject.

First, is the indelible image, etched in my memory, of the rapt face of a godly housewife who was a blessing to her pastors, because she understood this principle and made it a matter of conscience to apply it consistently. Every week she would sit, eyes wide open, mouth slightly agape, relaxed but intense, eager, almost leaning forward – you couldn’t help but be aware that she was facing you, concentrating, straining the way a baby bird cranes its’ neck, seeking nourishment.
Over the course of a year and a half, I can’t remember her ever blinking or fidgeting – she was that focused on the activity of listening.
Often, when preparing a lesson, the Lord would bring her to mind and I would be rebuked. Was I as diligent and eager in studying as this dear saint was to hear the fruits of my labors? Would her soul be fed with bread from heaven that week or would she go home empty and hungry, still longing to hear the voice of her Savior? The thought of it would make a sober man tremble and get to work.

Second, when I find dullness towards hearing God’s word in my heart, I recall Amos 8:11-12, where the prophet reminds God’s chosen nation that he will not always be merciful concerning their lack of interest in his word. And who knows where that line is drawn between his grace and his justice? Who can say when God will declare “Enough!” and give us over to the hardness of our own hearts?

“Behold, the days come,” saith the Lord GOD, “that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.”

May God give us hearts that receive with meekness the pure milk of the word that we may grow thereby, thankful that we have a pastor who loves us enough to preach the whole counsel of God. And may we learn to encourage our pastors, so that their ministry of the word is not a burden, but a labor of love, faith, hope and rejoicing.

What I love about solid, true, biblical teaching is that it carries its own authority, and it is self-evident.

Thanks to you two able Bible students who whip up a tasty meal each time we sit to hear the Word with you.