I should have known this, but I didn’t. Or I chose not to make it my primary focus.
I know why a lot of people don’t read the Bible as I have heard each of the following. “I don’t like what it says (or what I think it says since I haven’t actually read it).” “I don’t believe in the Bible.” “It is too difficult to understand.” “It is boring.” “It is out of date and has no relevance for today.” “It’s just a list of does and don’ts.” There are some others I am sure.
But for those of us who do read the Bible, we too have our reasons: Some read to find application for today’s life. After all, doesn’t Paul say to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Others read to find solace and comfort. Many are in search of the road to salvation. And still others want to gain historical and archeological knowledge.
All of these are worthy reasons for reading the Bible, but Alistair Begg in his January 28 devotional reminded his readers of the primary question we should be asking with each verse we read: “God is the hero of the story and the theme of the book, and so the first question we ask of every passage ought to be this: ‘What does this tell me about God?’ The Bible was written to establish God’s dealings, character, and glory.”
Yes, the Bible offers comfort … but that is because our God is a loving God. Yes, it makes commands regarding behaviors … but that is because our God is a righteous and holy God. Yes, it offers mercy and salvation … because our God wants to have a relationship with us. And yes, the Bible holds historical and archeological truths that generations have unveiled and revealed in their time because the Bible is God’s Word.
As we we pick up our Bibles either to read in general or to search for a particular answer, let us also remember to read for what the Bible truly offers: a revelation of just who God is. This is our opportunity to see clearly who God was, who He is, and who He will always be. “For I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).
I know why a lot of people don’t read the Bible as I have heard each of the following. “I don’t like what it says (or what I think it says since I haven’t actually read it).” “I don’t believe in the Bible.” “It is too difficult to understand.” “It is boring.” “It is out of date and has no relevance for today.” “It’s just a list of does and don’ts.” There are some others I am sure.
But for those of us who do read the Bible, we too have our reasons: Some read to find application for today’s life. After all, doesn’t Paul say to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Others read to find solace and comfort. Many are in search of the road to salvation. And still others want to gain historical and archeological knowledge.
All of these are worthy reasons for reading the Bible, but Alistair Begg in his January 28 devotional reminded his readers of the primary question we should be asking with each verse we read: “God is the hero of the story and the theme of the book, and so the first question we ask of every passage ought to be this: ‘What does this tell me about God?’ The Bible was written to establish God’s dealings, character, and glory.”
Yes, the Bible offers comfort … but that is because our God is a loving God. Yes, it makes commands regarding behaviors … but that is because our God is a righteous and holy God. Yes, it offers mercy and salvation … because our God wants to have a relationship with us. And yes, the Bible holds historical and archeological truths that generations have unveiled and revealed in their time because the Bible is God’s Word.
As we we pick up our Bibles either to read in general or to search for a particular answer, let us also remember to read for what the Bible truly offers: a revelation of just who God is. This is our opportunity to see clearly who God was, who He is, and who He will always be. “For I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).
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