For many believers in the church, the discipline of daily bible reading is a struggle. Yet scripture repeatedly speaks to its importance. The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, speaks entirely on the value of God’s word. And in Psalm 1 we learn the person who God blesses: the one who meditates on His word day and night.
Why Read the Bible Daily?
The purpose of reading the word is to know God. It reveals His attributes, character, truths, purposes and His redemptive plan for mankind. Our aim in life is to know God- glorifying and enjoying Him forever. The apostle Paul understood this and saw everything else as rubbish when he compared it to the “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.” So when we open our bibles and read, we are knowing God more and more each time. Philippians 3:8, Romans 11:36
The Word Shows Our Purpose
If there is any question as to what your purpose is, read the Bible. It will tell you. I remember, being a younger christian and there was an overwhelming sense of needing to know my purpose. “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Interestingly, as I began to spend more time in the scriptures, I learned how my life fit into His plan. I began to see His will for me as a wife, a mom, an employee and I even learned that I had spiritual gifts that were not for me, but for the church. So if you are reading this and have that same nagging question, read your word daily. Study and absorb the whole counsel of God. God’s word is given so that we may know Him, and know how to live for Him. Psalm 73:24, Ephesians 4:12
The Word Re-Centers Our Hearts
As busy women, it’s easy to go about our day, get completely absorbed in the immediate and pressing things of life. While we don’t like to admit it, we get God-amnesia. It’s our human nature to forget. So we need to continually re-center our hearts on who God is, and who we are in light of that truth. Like the classic hymn says, “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love” …it underscores forgetful hearts. So like a small child, who is capable of getting lost in a big world, take your Father’s hand each day and every day. Read His word. Let your heart stay close and centered on Him. Psalm 119:10-11
The Word Helps Us To Think Biblically
You and I are either being influenced by the world or by God. There is no middle ground. Throughout our day we are making countless decisions, responding to different circumstances and conversing with numerous people. As christians, we are called to think biblically, and not follow along with the world’s thinking. We should always be asking, “God, how do you want me to respond in this situation?” We can know His “good, acceptable and perfect will” by allowing the word to be a daily influence guiding us to right, biblical thinking. Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:24
Pattern Over Perfection
I’ve struggled with perfectionism as a teenager, and clear up to my adult years. Writing out goals, seeing the blessing of knowing God through His word, yet dealing with condemnation when it didn’t go perfectly. I missed a day. I didn’t plan right. I prioritized other things more importantly than my time with God. Discouragement has the potential to harm us if we focus on our short-comings, and not the God of grace. We brought nothing to the cross except our sin. Salvation and our growth is a work of His grace in our lives. Trust that as you commit your heart to follow Him, He will supply the grace to finish His work. Strive to obtain a pattern of life over perfection. Should we read our bibles each and every day? Yes! But know that there is grace as we mature. Philippians 1:6
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