Why wouldn't you read your Bible?
Come, let's reason together from the Psalms.
The Bible promises blessings to those who delight in reading it.
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalms 1:1-3 ESV)
OK, Christian. Have you no interest in blessing? Have you no interest in an unshakable faith (tree), in being fed with exactly what you need (streams of water), bearing fruit for the Kingdom of Christ (yielding fruit), remaining strong and courageous (leaf not withering), and prospering?
The Bible promises to provide us with the pure words of the Living God.
The words of the LORD are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6 ESV)
Elsewhere in the Bible, the Apostle Paul tells us "...whatever is pure...think about these things." (Philippians 4:8) So, it seems obvious that if we are to obey what the Apostle commands, should we not then go straight to God's word?
The Bible promises to provide us with the truth.
This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 18:30 ESV)
Again, from Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us "...whatever is true...think about these things." Again, if we are to obey Paul, should we not go to God's word?
The Bible promises to provide us with the perfect and sure word of God, which will revive our souls and make us wise.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple; (Psalms 19:7 ESV)
I love to read and to listen to sermons and good, solid Bible teaching. The internet has been such a blessing in this regard, all of the bad teaching on the internet notwithstanding. However, we must admit that the best sermons preached by mere men and the teachings taught by mere men are not perfect...so we must, like the Bereans of Acts 17, always "examine the Scriptures daily" to test everything we read and hear.
And which of us, brothers and sisters, do not want to be wise? Or, at least, wiser? For this, there is only one sure source, and that is God's inspired word. Let us resolve to go there often. Or, at least, oftener?
The Bible promises to provide us with firm steps on the narrow path of righteousness.
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip. (Psalms 37:30-31 ESV)
Which of us would say that we infallibly know what our next step is when faced with so many decisions day by day? Which of us doesn't need guidance for which way we should go? Of course, the Bible itself doesn't give us the minute details: which job should we take? where should we eat dinner when we're headed out on the town? But there is little doubt that the Bible does provide us a sure foundation for the big decisions in our life, answers to the question: "God, what exactly do You require of me?"
The Bible promises to provide us with a means to battle against fear of man.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me? (Psalms 56:10-11 ESV)
Dear Christian, have you never been afraid? Of a mere mortal? Jesus our Lord tells us that we should not fear men (who can only kill our bodies), but that we should fear God (who can cast our souls into hell). (Matthew 10:28) So how can we avoid such fears? The Psalmist tells us that we should praise God's word, and our fears will flee.
The Bible promises to provide us with a means to battle against all anxieties.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Psalms 77:11-12 ESV)
The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 77 cannot sleep. Why not? His soul is anxious and refuses to be comforted (verse 2). What is his solution? To remember the deeds of the LORD, the wonders of old, all of God's work and mighty deeds in the lives of His people through the ages as recounted in His holy word. There is no surefire solution to anxiety except for recounting the faithfulness of God throughout the ages!
The Bible promises to provide us with healing and deliverance from destruction in the midst of our sin.
Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalms 107:17-20 ESV)
Interesting thing about the Bible. It wounds and it heals. For it is the Law of God that reveals to us our sin, and yet it is His word of grace that provides the balm that we need, to receive the Gospel of sins forgiven and righteousness bestowed upon us by faith. And when our sin is revealed - by the word of God and the righteous requirements that He demands - He also, by His word, provides us with the means of deliverance as we turn to Him and obey.
The Bible promises to provide us with guidance to keep our way pure and to avoid sin.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
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. (Psalms 119:9-11 ESV)
Is this not the desire of your new, regenerated heart? To keep your way pure and to not sin against God? Then there is only one solution: guard your way according to God's word by storing the word up in your heart. It really is that simple!
The Bible promises to provide us a means for acquiring strength in the midst of sorrow.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word! (Psalms 119:28 ESV)
Jesus was sorrowful even unto death. (Matthew 26:38) Paul was sorrowful many times. The great saints who have gone before us have not escaped the sorrows of this fallen world. It is likely that you, dear Christian, have dealt with an unceasing anguish at one time or another. What will be our comfort? What will be our strength? Yes, again, it will be the word of God.
The Bible promises to provide us comfort in times of trial and affliction.
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. (Psalms 119:49-50 ESV)
In addition to our sorrows, this fallen world provides us with trials and afflictions that many times seem to be unbearable, too much for us to handle. Again, what will be our comfort? The promise of eternal life that God has given to us in His inspired word! That is enough!
The Bible provides us with a reason to praise God.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules. (Psalms 119:62 ESV)
It is God's word that leads us to praise. It is our theology - our knowledge of God - that leads us to doxology - our praise of God. Dear Christian, does your Bible lead you to worship? Pray that it will!
The Bible helps us to find our true companions in the Lord.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts. (Psalms 119:63 ESV)
How good it is when brothers dwell together in unity! (Psalms 133:1) And what, brothers and sisters, unites us in a way that nothing else can? The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 that we are united in: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all! It is our faith that unites us, our faith as derived from God's word! May we be ever more familiar with what we believe that our fellowship with other saints may be enhanced!
Oh, dear Christian! Tell me again: why wouldn't you read your Bible?
Posted by Steve Vinay III
