I can't
count how many times I've heard it… Or even how many times I've had the
conversation myself!---a philosophical question of which translation I prefer,
which one someone feels is archaic or the best--ESV, NIV, KJV, New
International Standard Bible of something or other…
We only
know what it is like to have more than 100 versions of this Book. We even know
a very first-world struggle of dusting it off, of being reminded in church that it brings Life and that it not only
holds God's answers for everything, but is His living
Word. We only know what it is like to have
always had it. We teach our children beautiful songs that fortify their
hearts: "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so".
But the
majority of the world is not experiencing it this way at all. And they do not have a Bible that is telling
them of His great love. They are not philosophizing over which
translation speaks to them more or which one feels outdated, they are waiting to hear it for the first time.
Some of them are part of a Body of believers that has heard that God has much
to say, and when a translation has been started in their village, they wait and
support those working on it, praying that they will receive His voice soon.
Today I
wanted to share one example of a people group receiving a completed portion of
the Word of God for the first time. These ceremonies are mesmerizing, and the
joy and expectation are palpable! The Kimyal in Indonesia received a completed
New Testament in 2010, and this is a peek into their celebration!
This is absolutely beautiful friend! Gives you an idea of what it was like in David's day when the Arc of the Covenant came into his city. These men and women have a childlike faith that we so desperately need here in North America. Thank you for this.
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