A.J. Ogden

Paul, the great missionary came to know the author of this wonderful Book, the Bible, on the Damascus Road. Because of Christ’s transforming power in salvation, Paul became a giant for Jesus. Called of God to preach the unsearchable riches of God’s grace, he says in II Timothy 4:2-4, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when thy will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Paul knew in that day many people did not want to hear Bible preaching, and it’s the same way today. Man can never get rid of the Bible so they try not to read and take heed to the written Word of God. Enemies of the Bible have burned millions of copies and tried to put it down in a thousand ways, but it lives on. It is still broadcasting the news that Hell is hot, damnation is permanent, and Christ is sweet and not willing that any should perish. He keeps telling lost sinners to come and find in Him that sweet peace that passes all understanding. People still mock and scoff but they will weep one-second after they hit Hell!

The following is a little poem I read years ago and I do not remember who wrote it, but it tells a great truth we need:

The Anvil

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime.

Then looking in I saw upon the floor,

Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

“How many hammers have you had” said I,

“To wear and batter all these hammers?”

“Just One” said he, and then,with twinkling eyes,

“The anvil wears the hammers out you know.”

And so, I thought, the anvil is God’s Word;

For ages skeptic’s blows have beat upon,

And though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unarmed,the hammers…gone!