A funny thing happened on my way to becoming a Bible Believer
Ever since I've been saved I've been a Bible Believer but it wasn't for a week after that I became a King James Bible Believer because of this event:
After a week of being saved and trying to make up my own mind as to which Bible the Lord would have for me and praying and fasting (in between meals) during that week I went to a local Bible Bookstore. Upon entry I scoured the shelves for Bibles and it was like being in a Bible Jungle Jim's - all kinds of Bibles imaginable. After a while of looking and not really selecting anything I was asked by the attendant if I could be helped to which I said "I'm looking for a Bible but you have so many different types - which one do I pick?" He said something like - Yeah, it can be rather a problem can't it but I've got a book here that has all kinds of Bibles written with the verses side by side each other so that you can compare them easily.
Well, I've had thick books in my hand before but, I didn't have a lot of time. So, I sent up to God a quick little Nehemiah prayer, and I didn't know who Nehemiah was at the time, and I said something like ...
Lord, I don't think that I'm going to be able to go through this just by myself so please, give me a hand here, and show me which Bible you want for me to have.
And with that I just kind of threw that big ole Book open and looked on the left side of it and there was something that looked like this ...
Col 1:14 (ASV) in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
Col 1:14 (BBE) In whom we have our salvation, the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:14 (DBY) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins;
Col 1:14 (MNT) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
Col 1:14 (RSV) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:14 (TCNT) And through whom we have found deliverance in the forgiveness of our sins.
Col 1:14 (WEB) in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;
Col 1:14 (WNT) in whom we have our redemption--the forgiveness of our sins.
Col 1:14 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:
Well, what could I do? Keep in mind that I had just been saved - through His blood (have you?) - only a week ago I looked over at the clerk behind the desk and I said something like - Look at this! - they all take "through his blood" out - that's important and he said "Yeah, it is - I've never seen that before". To which I said "I'll take a King James!" To which he said ... "we don't have any."
Well, he finally did find one but it was a big old family edition Bible - you know, the one with all the pictures and family genealogy in the front etc. So I bought it and still have it today but seldom get to open it up seeing as it is on the bottom shelf of one of my bookcases instead of a coffee table like most folks - but, I don't have a coffee table and I wouldn't use it for coffee even if I did. I like high tables and have an aversion to eating a couple of feet off the ground - but, I digress.
But every time I do have occasion to see it I remember that day that I bought it. I can't tell you the day I got any other of my books or even my Bibles but I can that day because God spoke that day to a young believer who was just asking honestly - which way do I go Lord?
Later on I found that Solomon did something similar...
1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
And, He answered clearly.
I have wondered in the past what would have happened to me if I ignored what God said and have listened to the scholars? Would God had stuck with me? Would He have continually blessed me by showing me things in His word? I sincerely doubt it. I use to drive by that Bible Book Store and over time it became a Long John Silver's Seafood restaurant. I wonder if they had been more faithful to the word of God if it would still be there in tact or even expanded?
I wonder if God has a sense of humor about these things?