International Day of the Bible?

Is this your bible?

Did anyone notice that last Saturday was International Day of the Bible?  I only noticed when I read an earlier email from YouVersion just today. (good app by the way)

Well, apparently Monday November 24th was International Day of the Bible. 

Have a favorite Psalm? Or, a special passage that has helped you through tough times? Want to share with the world how much the Bible means in your life? Or ask Him to bless your nation?
On Monday, Nov. 24 at noon local time―in public or online―people of all ages are being invited to participate in International Day of the Bible by taking pause for a few minutes to read or even sing Scripture or otherwise creatively express their love of The Good Book.
The event is being sponsored by The National Bible Association. Organizations like The American Bible Society, YouVersion, Bible Gateway, and Scripture Union are encouraging participation within their own communities.

 We have a Scripture Union here in Vanautu.  I wonder if they told everyone about it?

There appears to be very little coverage of this event.  All references I could find were American ones. 

So now we have an International World Bible Day.  I addition to a World Bible Translation Day on 30th September, (praise God for Bible translators I say!), International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (16th Nov), and probably others. 

While I can see the merits of recognising bible translation and in raising awareness for persecuted churches, I fail to see why an International Day of the Bible is needed.  Was it necessary because all other things have International Days.

International Mens' Day
International Womens' Day
International Tiger Day
International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
International Day of Happiness
International Day of Forests and the Tree
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
International Mother Earth Day
International Jazz Day
International Youth Day
and I like this one - International Day of Solidarity of Detained and Missing Staff Members (Solidarity, Detained, Missing?  Think about it)

Then there are World Days - World Toilet Day, World Television Day, World Philosophy Day, World Soil Day, World Water Day, World Wildlife Day
....and the list goes on, and on.

This event, reminds me of things like Christmas and Easter.  Many so-called, "Christians," only go to church on these days (except for marriage, funerals and baptisms/dedications) in order to be seen to be Christian or to rescue their consciences.

But as for me, I like to think that every day is International Bible Day.  I Want to share with the world how much the Bible means in my life?  But not just one day but every day.  The bible is not just an accessory:

• It is written in such a way that to disbeleive it is to disbeleive God (2 Tim 3:16-17).  
• It is self-attesting of itself and teh Holy Spirit convinces us of that fact (1Cor 2:13-14).  
• It is inerrant - (Ps 19:7-11). 
• It is clearly written for those who wish to know what it contains (Deut 6:6-7).  
• It is complete - God has put in it, everything that one needs leading to salvation, trust and obedience.(Deut 29:29) and finally;
• It is necessary for knowledge of the Gospel and knowing God's Will.

Now don't get me wrong.  I think that the sponsors do an amazing work in their various ministries and I am fully supportive of things that promote the word of God, but as I see it, while the intent is honourable, the execution is not.  For one thing, trying to fit in with others that have "Days" like Men, Women, Tigers, Homosexuals, Transsexuals, Happy people, Forest and Tree lovers, Environmentalists, New Agers, Musicians, Youth, and the rest, tends to reduce the bible down to just another thing to remember. 

God does not need gimmicks like this when his Spirit is more than capable as He is and infinitely more capable of anything we can offer.    Did I just write gimmick? - Yes I did. God desires that we go and make disciples of all nations. (Matt 28:19) and to preach the message (2Tim 4:2). I firmly believe that if preachers across the world, every service, exhorted their congregtions to, preach the word, then the world would not require an International Day of the Bible would it!  Then again I also believe that preachers need to preach the word of God at the pulpit more and more, rather than less and less. 

The Word of God is life, food, sustainance, medicine, truth and everything that is good.  And that is why for me, every day is International Bible Day, and every day is International Prayer Day, because every day belongs to God.  A rally good day to look forward will be the International Day of the Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  But that one will not become an Annual Event!

1Thess 2:9-16 (NET)
(9)  For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 
(10)  You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe. 
(11)  As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children, 
(12)  exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory. 
(13)  And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe. 

SDG