There are literally dozens of great reasons why we should want to read the Bible. How one views the Bible is so critical because a proper view of this amazing book will determine how often one will read it and the approach one brings when opening its sacred pages.
You see if we view Bible reading as a chore or duty don’t expect to get much out of it. But if we approach the Scriptures with excitement and holy reverence get ready for God to open His word to you in amazing ways. I love how Abraham Lincoln described the Bible when he said: “In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for this Book we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”1
My Friends, among the many reasons one should read the Bible, I have chosen five reasons that I pray you will strongly consider as you approach your decision on whether to read the Bible or pass it by.
To learn more about Jesus (1)
While natural revelation (nature and our universe) gives us a consciousness about God it does little to help us learn about Jesus. For this we need special revelation – the Bible. (John 5:39) tells us: “You study the Scriptures
diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” The Bible tells us everything we need to know about our wonderful Savior – Jesus Christ. It describes His character, His attributes, and His divinity. One of the great things about reading the Bible is that it helps you develop a love affair with Jesus. And the more you fall in love with Him, the more you will want to get to know Him better. And that means reading the Bible more and spending time in His presence.
To keep us from sin (2)
(Psalm 119:11) says: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” As we read the Scriptures they will fortify us with insights and ways to keep us away from sinning. For example (Proverbs 16:6) shares: “…And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” As we hide God’s word in our hearts we will begin to cultivate a holy fear or reverence for Jesus. And as we reverence Jesus more we will not want to sin and bring reproach to His name. The more you fall in love with Jesus the more you will want to please Him and shy away from sin.
To find peace and joy in life (3)
In the last analysis when you ask people what they really want in life, most will answer that they want peace and joy. Sadly, without knowing Jesus and reading and applying the principles found in the Scriptures we will never be able to experience lasting peace and true joy. True peace can only be known when we have a vibrant and intimate relationship with Jesus and reading the Bible is the best way to cultivate this relationship. And joy is a by-product of obedience to the word of God and doing God’s will. As we read the Bible we will learn how to obey God and discover His will. Thus, peace and joy can be ours in abundance as we read, mediate, and obey the Bible.
To discover our next steps in life (4)
The Bible is the finest book ever written to give us divine guidance on how to live and lead productive and fruitful lives. (Psalm 119:105) says it so beautifully: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” And (Proverbs 3:6) adds: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” As we read the Bible we will gain amazing insights on how to live and become sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. Without the divine guidance the Bible imparts to us we run the risk of running our lives into the ground. Thankfully, the more we read the Scriptures the more divine illumination will become our compass helping us chart a wonderful journey on this road called life.
To receive the desires of our heart (5)
The Bible says in (John 15:7): “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Notice this verse says that before we can ask for what we desire we must remain in Jesus and have His words (found in the Bible) remain in us. Thus, reading the Bible is essential to discovering how to abide in Jesus. Couple this thought of abiding in Christ with (Psalm 37:4): “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart,” and we see something wonderful emerge. When we delight in the Lord our desires become God’s desires and God’s desires become our desires. As a result, God is excited to give us what we ask for because we are now on the same page!
If you are not regularly reading the Bible may these five reasons help whet your appetite to start today – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
To keep us from sin (2)
(Psalm 119:11) says: “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
When we talk about sin, it’s important that we know exactly what sin is.
Romans 7:7 says, “I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.”
That’s why the fuller context of the verse from the devotion talks about “commandments” and “statutes.”
“With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!”
So what “word” can you store in your heart if you don’t want to sin against God? You might want to start by asking yourself if you can recite the Ten Commandments (Words) from the heart. If not, you may want to take the time to commit them to memory and then ask yourself during the day how you can apply them to different situations. Do you find it easy to lie about the smallest matter at home or in business? That’s a sin against God.
Make your prayer today, “Lord, teach me your statutes.”