If I were to ask you which is oldest, the telephone, the radio, or the fax machine, what would you guess? I would think that most of you would guess either the telephone or the radio. You might not know between the two, which is older, but you’re probably sure that both were invented before the fax machine.
However, hard as it may be to believe, the fax machine is older than both the telephone and radio. The fax machine was invented in 1843, the telephone in 1876, and the radio in 1895. Faxes were being sent back and forth more than 30 years before the telephone, yet it wasn’t until the 1980s that businesses recognized the potential of fax machines, making them quite popular during that time.
Now, why do I share that curious piece of trivia with you? Well, because there is a spiritual application to be made. We have had in our possession for centuries a book, the Bible, that, if followed, would end so many problems that plague us, yet it has collected dust in the homes of many. But think of the problems that would vanish if people decided to use the Bibles that we have:
• Hatred would give way to love.
• Revenge would give way to forgiveness.
• Despair would give way to hope.
• Abuse would give way to respect.
• Foul language would give way to praise.
• Envy would give way to contentment.
• Immorality would give way to purity.
• Lying would give way to truth.
• And fear would give way to security.
Friends, the Bible has been around for a long time. Yet, it has the potential to meet our needs, enrich our lives here and now as well as prepare us for Heaven. I hope you won’t let the Bible collect dust in your house. Pull out this ancient book and study it. Implement it in your life. Afford yourself and your children the opportunities to study the Bible in our Bible classes. This book you possess is old, but it will meet your modern needs.