For the Christian daily Bible reading is so essential that I dare say it is one pursuit that must be prioritized above just about any other daily activity. In today and tomorrow’s devotions I want to share ten reasons why I believe daily Bible reading is a must for anyone who calls Jesus their Lord and Savior. Today I will list five reasons and tomorrow another five reasons.
Reason 1 – Reading the Bible will help you fall more in love with Jesus.
Can there be anything more wonderful then falling more in love with Jesus? Just think you were a sinner headed for hell and a rebel against God. Not only that but because we are totally depraved, none of us on our own would seek after God. Jesus drew us to Himself and the Holy Spirit opened our blind eyes to allow us to see just how sinful and spiritually bankrupt we really were.
(Romans 3:10-12) clearly states how lost we really were before Jesus began the process of wooing us to Himself for we read: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” As we read and mediate on the Scriptures we will see how desperately wicked and lost we were and just how much Jesus did to save us. He died on the cross for you and me while we were still sinners. That’s the kind of God I want to get to know more about and give my love to. And reading the Bible will show me just how wonderful Jesus is.
Reason 2 – Reading the Bible will keep us from sin.
(Psalm 119:11) says: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” As we read the Bible we learn all about what sin is as well as how powerful the Scriptures are to help us say no to sin. The more we put the Bible in our hearts the less likely we will want to sin because we will develop a greater reverence for God. (Proverbs 16:6) says it so well: “…And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” The more we fall in love with Jesus the more we will reverence Him and this holy fear will help us to say no to sin.
Reason 3 – Reading the Bible will help us discover God’s will for our lives.
As we read the Bible we will learn God’s will for our lives as well as get guidance each day on how we are to live for Jesus. (Psalm 119:105) tells us: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Bible is the finest book ever written on how to live a holy life. Its pages are packed with spiritual wisdom that can only be obtained if we mine its riches. And the only way is through regular Bible reading. For example, as we read the Scriptures we learn that we are always to be thankful. (I Thessalonians 5:18) tells us: “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We also learn that everything we do in life should be to glorify Jesus for we read: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31). Reading the Bible will not only help you discover God’s will for your life but it will give you the wisdom and ability to carry it out.
Reason 4 – Reading the Bible will provide encouragement for our souls.
(Romans 15:4) says: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The Bible is the most encouraging book ever written. Its pages contain all the lessons we need to excel in life.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) tells us: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Stay close to the Bible and watch how its timeless advice will be the greatest antidote to discouragement known to man.
Reason 5 – Reading the Bible will put you in touch with God’s magnificent promises.
There are literally hundreds of promises contained in the Scriptures that are available to all Christians. Promises of peace and joy are found throughout the Bible. Some of them are conditional like (Isaiah 26:3) which says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You…” So, to get perfect peace we must keep our minds on Jesus and His words – which of course are contained in the Bible. Other promises are unconditional like (James 1:17): “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God promises us wonderful gifts as a result of just being His children. His promises, whether conditional or unconditional, are waiting for us to claim but we need to be reading the Scriptures to know what they are.
In tomorrow’s devotion we will look at five more reasons to read the Bible.