“He sent out His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.” – Psalm 107:20 {ESV}
Reading was something that God enabled me to do at a young age. I remember that words came easily to me while I struggled as a child with so many other things. For the most part, I have my mother to thank for my love for reading as she was constantly buying me books and exposing me to the arts and literature. It was mom who would watch Sesame Street and The Electric Company with me before I ever went to kindergarten; she purposefully bought me books above my age grade which forced me to wrestle with big words and stretch my capacity to read. I owe her a lot because when God saved me at the age of twenty-four I found the greatest book to ever rest on anyone’s shelf. I fell in love with my Bible and, to this very day, it is the chief material object in my life. Greater than my house, my vehicles, fine clothing, valuable jewelry or any other possession of mine…the Word of God is everything to me.
You may not know that among the nearly 7 billion people on earth that there are over 270 million who have not a single syllable of Scripture in their own language. That staggering number reveals that an enormous segment of our population have no ability to sit down in a time of need to have God’s wisdom. There are above 6,900 known languages in the world and for over 2,200 of these languages there is no Bible. Ministries and individuals are working tirelessly to provide the Scripture in these languages but how many darkened lives remain that way while projects are being completed? Years ago, the church I pastor had the privilege to team up with some of the finest saints I’ve ever met to translate the Bible into Trio, an Indian language of tribal people in Suriname South America. I’m unsure that there could be a greater life-work than to leave behind you a copy of God’s Word in a heretofore un-translated language. What a privilege for those called to this task.
If you are reading this blog today, you already have a copy of the Bible that you can devour. May I enquire how the current relationship is between you and God’s Word?
Does it pulse within you as you rise in the morning? Is it slowly becoming a piece of furniture in your house or apartment? Many regard the Bible as some superstitious relic that needs to be within arm’s reach in case evil spirits come around. Others approach the Word of God as an enigmatic book of religious symbols and mysteries. There are some of you who are reading this today and would declare to me that your Bible holds supreme importance in your life and that you would lose everything before losing your copy of the Scriptures. Whether you are KJV, NIV, ESB, NLT, Greek, Hebrew, German or Reina Valera…what place does that precious Book of books own in your heart?
Consider recommitting yourself to a passionate indulgence of the Word. Don’t make a big fanfare but simply start today by choosing a book in the bible to begin to read from beginning to end. Go slow – what’s the rush? Think upon a handful of verses; write some thoughts down between you and God in a journal. Ask Him to increase your love for His Word, petition Him to give you wisdom you’ve never had before. Look for answers because you know how badly you need some. Most of all, listen to what He says in there about Himself. The greatest aspect of the Bible is its Author and that is the chief reason why we read.