My Soul Delighteth in the Scriptures

I Thank Thee For All Those Who Made Today's Bible Possible

Fires of Faith

     I really liked this three part series about the Bible that I finished watching this morning.  

Yearning For The Word

Martyrs For A Book

The King James Bible

     I am thankful for the sacrifices of these individuals, as well as others, who helped us secure the blessings we enjoy today:

John Wycliffe, whose body was exhumed, burned, and the ashes cast into the River Swift.

Thomas Bilney, who was burned to death at Lollards Pit on August 19, 1531.

John Frith, who was burned at the stake on July 4, 1533.

William Tyndale, who was tied at the stake, strangled to death, and burned in the autumn of 1535.

John Rogers, who was burned at the stake on February 4, 1555.

Thomas Cranmer, who was burned at the stake on March 21, 1556.

Thank You John Wycliffe

Born in 14th century England, John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English.

Thank You William Tyndale

     It has been 400 years since the publication of the King James Bible, with significant contributions from William Tyndale, a great hero in my eyes.

     The clergy did not want the Bible published in common English. They hounded Tyndale from place to place. He said to them, “If God spare my life, ere many years I will cause a boy that driveth the plough shall know more of the Scripture than thou.”¹

     Tyndale was betrayed and confined to a dark, freezing prison in Brussels for over a year. His clothing was in rags. He begged his captors for his coat and cap and a candle, saying, “It is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark.”² These were denied him. Eventually, he was taken from prison and before a large crowd was strangled and burned at the stake. But William Tyndale’s work and martyr’s death were not in vain.

--Boyd K. Packer

1. In David Daniell, introduction to Tyndale’s New Testament (1989), viii.   

2. In Daniell, introduction to Tyndale’s New Testament, ix.

Remember

     A while ago, I heard someone say that the word “remember” was the most important word in the English language.  I’ve pondered that thought often.  I have come to a realization that the attitude of remembering is indeed a very important concept.

     Miracles happen every day.  Life itself is a miracle.  However, I often become complacent and lose sight of these everyday wonders.  It is important to remember these tender mercies, and to be grateful for these experiences.

     I remember when I first started earnestly studying the Bible.  I had been doing so for about a year.  I had a question; I wanted to know if what I was reading was true and if there really was a Jesus Christ.  One evening I started reading Matthew again.  I paused when I came to Matthew 7:7.  Even though I had read this passage many times before, it affected me differently this evening.  I looked-up and said, “I gotch ya!  If what I’m reading is true, then you have to answer my question.”  I had one of the most sincere prayers of my life that night.  I totally hoped that what I was reading was true, and I expected a voice from Heaven to confirm my hope – a voice like the one in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments.  I saw no bright light, and I heard no deep voice.  However, God did answer me – through other people. 

     I now know that what I was reading that night is true.  I know that Jesus Christ is real, that he lives, and that he loves me.  I know that His love is so strong that he took upon himself my sins.  I know that I must remember Him always, so I can be more like Him.  Speaking of the Messiah, Isaiah said “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”  Jeremiah said “for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”   I have a testimony that God remembers us and wants us to remember Him.