Every soldier who signed up in WWI was given a pocket-sized copy of the New Testament, to be a source of strength and inspiration. It reminded them why the sacrifice was worthwhile because within the words of each tiny bible lies the story of the greatest sacrifice.
To know that the God they served has suffered and died for his friends, and for all people, made it possible to believe that God understood their situation. It gave them an example to follow and a reason to believe that in the end God does bring justice, God has the ultimate victory and life can come out of death, demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus.
Sometimes people say “I don’t watch the news anymore because it’s always bad news.” But the reader of the 1916 pocket-sized bible found a counter to that —Good News— and it stands the test of time.
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)