I believe that the attitude we bring to reading the Bible is a key element to unlocking its precious promises and wonderful wisdom. If we approach reading the Bible with the attitude, “Well I guess I should read the Bible because I am a Christian,” don’t expect much from reading the Scriptures. If, however, I approach my reading of the Word with the attitude, “God, this is your holy book and I come to its pages with deep reverence to learn more about Jesus,” then this change in perspective and motivation will make a world of difference.
When I come to the reading the Bible I come with a tremendous sense of excitement, anticipation and gratitude. I realize that the Bible is God’s only revealed revelation about Himself and is the only book that gives me a blueprint on how to lead a rich and rewarding life. The Bible is God’s wonderful love letter to us and we should cherish it deeply. Let’s examine these three words when we open our Bibles: excitement, anticipation and gratitude.
Excitement
There is more action, adventure, romance, intrigue, wisdom, life and inspiration in this one volume than in any other book ever written. When I open my Bible I get so excited because I get to meet my precious Savior, Jesus Christ, in all 66 books of His Word. Not only that but I learn, as I read, how special I am to Jesus and just who I am in Christ. It is so exciting to know that I am reading actual history and the finest set of ethics ever given to man. I also get excited as I realize that I matter to Christ and have a vital role to play in life. Even the boring parts of the Bible are now exciting to me as I realize that God has a divine purpose in everything He puts in His Word. My friends if reading the Bible is not the most exciting thing you can do then perhaps you need to focus on the next word:
Anticipation
Have you ever dreamed on what you plan to do when you go on a vacation? You usually anticipate all the fun you will have and memories you will create. Well, when I think of reading the Bible I anticipate meeting Jesus in its pages and learning more about the great love of my life. I anticipate learning about all the precious promises the Bible says are mine to appropriate as I obey God. I anticipate finding out how to experience more peace, joy, and meaning in life as I read and re-read the many verses that talk to these areas. And I anticipate that one day I will pass from this life and be forever in the presence of Jesus in heaven. When you read the Bible I pray that you will open its pages with a deep sense of anticipation of finding immense joy, beauty, and meaning.
Gratitude
We read in (Psalm 100:4): “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” When we enter into the pages of Scripture we need to have an attitude of gratitude for all the blessings contained in the sacred Word. We are so blessed that God has given us everything we need to have a prosperous and meaningful life in Christ. We should be super thankful for this amazing book – the Bible! It contains everything we need to enjoy life to the fullest and for that we should always be thankful and praise the Lord. I also believe that a thankful heart and attitude will add years to your life – what a wonderful bonus!
I love how Sir Walter Scott referred to the Bible when he said: “The most learned, acute, and diligent student cannot, in the longest life, obtain an entire knowledge of the BIBLE. The more deeply he works the mine, the richer and more abundant he finds the ore.”1
1 FAMOUS QUOTES ABOUT THE BIBLE (internationalwallofprayer.org)
Two quick comments.
We read, “And I anticipate that one day I will pass from this life and be forever in the presence of Jesus in heaven.“ So often, heaven is misplaced. Our eternal home will be the new earth.
“According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
II Peter 3:13
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’”
Rev. 21:1-3
This understanding has ramifications for how we live in God’s good creation in this life, longing for the renewal of all things, to bring the freedom of the glory on earth as in heaven.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:18-23
Secondly, a favorite quote about studying the Bible.
“If there was one bit of wisdom, one rule of thumb, one single skill I could impart, one useful tip I could leave that would serve you well for the rest of your life, what would it be? What is the single most important practical skill I’ve ever learned as a Christian?
Here it is: Never read a Bible verse. That’s right, never read a Bible verse. Instead, always read a paragraph at least and compare Scripture with Scripture.”
In other words, context, context, context. I can’t stress this enough. This discipline will keep you from going astray almost every time you get “excited” with “anticipation” as you read with gratefulness.