My wife and daughters are avid readers. I read also, but mostly for information rather than leisure. Reading is vital to being a lifelong learner and a leader. It allows you to transcend space and time, vicariously experience drama and peril, share in the plight of the human condition, and glean from the wisdom of others. Reading forces you to confront assumptions, formulate opinions, and solidify a worldview. Do you read often? Of all the books and articles I have read, the Bible is by far the best. It’s the most widely read book across the world and across the history of printed literature. I encourage you to read it each day, for through it God will absolutely change you for the best.
The Bible, God’s word, is different than any other book. Although it was written by forty different authors in three languages on three different continents across 1500 years, it presents one cohesive story of God’s love for you through Jesus. It was penned by people, but inspired by God. It’s teaching is unique, it’s various styles are beautifully composed, and it contains hundreds of fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled prophecies. The Bible has had incredible impact across Western civilization and has survived centuries of scrutiny from historians, philosophers, scientists, and archeologists. In the Bible, God has gloriously revealed what every person needs in order to know him through the saving work of Jesus. It presents, Jesus, God the Son, who became a man to show you how to live with God as his beloved child. Jesus died and rose again so that anyone who trusts and obeys him can be saved from death and hell, have victory over sin, be united with God, and experience his abundant life now and forever. That is the greatest message of all time!
Reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible is essential for me. It’s one of six activities I prayerfully try to do each day individually or with other believers. The activities are: sing God’s praises, study his word, share his truth, serve all people, stand in the gap to intervene, and stay dependent on God. I don’t practice these as a legalistic discipline to gain knowledge about God or gain approval from God. I joyfully incorporate them as a rhythm of daily life because through them I commune with God. Like the sons of Korah wrote in Psalm 42, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1) Psalm 119 celebrates the intimate connection we can have with God through his word. It describes the unsurpassed bounty, wonder, delight, and direction that his way brings. I’m continually grateful for the ever growing presence and friendship I experience with God through the Bible.
Here are a few verses which complement Psalm 119 in describing the benefits of God’s word.
- “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3).
- “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
- “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
- “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This quote comes from Jesus when he was tempted by Satan. God’s word is an effective weapon in fighting spiritual battles. “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:11, 16-17).
- “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Notice how the Bible works on a micro and macro level to guide your step-by-step decisions and illuminate a vision for your overall direction.
- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Jesus taught, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27).
- “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:28).
- “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” (Psalm 119:49-50).
- Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
I hope these verses inspire you to commune with God through his word, not just for the powerful impact it has on you but also on others through you. Read, study, and meditate on the Bible. Memorize key verses. Also don’t just be a reader of the word, but a doer. Apply it to your life. James, one of the brothers of Jesus, wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22-25). The apostle Paul advised, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The apostle Peter encouraged believers, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Through God’s Holy Spirit let his word counsel, change, encourage and empower you. Then proclaim the truth to everyone, teach those who listen, and train those who respond. Encourage and admonish them. Share what you learn with others to enrich their lives and bring them closer to God.
Note: For one simple way to study the Bible, refer to my note #079 Prepare for Life.