Have you ever considered what it would be like to not have access to the Bible in a language you could understand or access readily?
We have been thinking more about this predicament lately as we attended Discovery Week at Pioneer Bible Translators, the first week of June. Each day we heard of folks fresh from the field with a SWOT analysis (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) of place after place around the globe. I have glibly read 1Thess. 2:13 and never considered the consequences of no access to Scripture. I mean, I have Bibles, plural! Not just one, more than I can count, actually. What about you? And all of them in a language I can easily read. Think about what Paul writes to believers in Thessaloniki:
1Thessalonians 2:13 “Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.”
What if that divine, life changing message could not have been received because it was not accessible or deliverable because the “very word of God” was not translated in a language we could understand? We must not take this for granted. Almost a thousand languages in our world today have NO access to the Bible in their tongue! Can you imagine having the outlandish goal of every tribe and every nation having access to “the very word of God” by 2033?! Pray with us to that end.
| William Tyndale – martyr & Bible Translator |
In reality having Scripture in your own language is a game changer. If you haven’t downloaded the free e-book from Pioneer Bible Translators, 7 Times the Bible Changed the World, get your copy today! Here’s a taste of the first paragraph: “The Bible has always been more than just a book — it’s the living Word of God, changing lives and shaping history in ways we couldn’t have imagined.”
When it comes to Bible translation and making God’s Word available, prayer is the strategy! Will you commit to praying with us for the eradication of biblical poverty:
God, your Word is more precious than all that I possess (Psalm 19:10)
Your Scripture gives light to my path and directs my steps (Psalm 119:105)
Through your will alone lives are transformed and minds made new (Romans 12:2)
So I now pray for all people that do not yet know you (1 Timothy 2:1-6)
For you’ve promised that your voice by every tribe and nation will be heard (Revelation 7:9)
So equip us by your breath to provide every heart language with your Word (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
