THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Deck of Cards

This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign in World War II. After heavy fighting, the man returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up church service. The men were asked to take out their Bibles or Prayer Books. The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself.

The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained: "You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and no other. When I see the "2," it reminds me that there are two parts the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT. The "3" tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The "4" reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN.

When I see the "5," it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and that five were saved. The "6" makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD said that it was good.

When I see the "7," it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY. As I look at the "8," it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL HUMAN LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives.

When I see the "9," I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him. The "10" reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD. The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can.

When I look at the "QUEEN," I see THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF JESUS. As I look at the last card, "THE KING," it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS."

There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year. There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year. There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year. There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a year...

And so, the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC. Most importantly my deck of cards reminds me that I need JESUS 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that I should always PRAY 4 others."

May you never look at a deck of cards the same way! ****************************************************************************

What a great illustration of applying Godly attributes and symbolism to something man created! This story paints the picture of a man who used what he had available to remind him of how great God is! Since we have Bibles, I hope we're each realizing how fortunate we are to have full and complete access to God's love letter to us!

I know some of you may think that playing cards is bad because of the gambling aspect. I guess horses, cars, sports and many other things are bad, too, because people wager on them. In fact, if that's the case, money is totally evil too because people fight, kill, divorce, marry, etc. because of it. We need to make sure that we get it straight ... it's the attitude and the people that cause the problems, not the inanimate objects that might simply be used in the wrong way. End of sermon.

What in your life helps you to picture God? A majestic mountain scene? Powerful waves crashing onto the rugged cliffs? A newborn baby being held gently by its mother? Each of us learns in different ways and is impacted by different ideas and presentations. I pray that you will see God's majesty and work in your daily walk and that He would be clearly visibly in your life.