Ready for a startling number? 193,000,000. It’s hard to fathom, but that’s the estimated number of people who have never even seen a portion of Scripture translated into their language. With the ease of communication in our world today, we find it difficult to understand how more than 2,200 languages don’t have a Bible translation. Many of us not only take it for granted that we can read God’s Word in our own language, but we also consider it normal to own multiple versions that are written in our native tongue. But, sadly, we sometimes view reading Scripture as an obligation rather than a joy.

Those who are spiritually alive know that desire for God is intricately woven with a hunger for His Word. As Psalm 119:103 declares, “How sweet Your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.” Giving life to all who ingest it, Scripture not only reveals the heart of God, but makes plain His plan of salvation (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Speaking of His plans, Isaiah prophesied, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine” (9:2). Left to our own devices, we miss the mark. Because the Word is the revelation of Christ, it’s not only the standard of truth, it is truth itself. Promising to give us understanding and to light our path (Psalm 119:104-105), the Bible provides the spiritual food we need.

For those of us blessed with the Word ready at hand, the challenge comes to make sure “it is on [our] lips and in [our] heart” (Romans 10:8).

No one must convince a hungry man to eat. Our thankfulness to God for the Bible should leave us hungering to see the rest of the world filled and fulfilled by the Word of God.