The Vital Importance of Bible Reading and Study
We’ve all heard it. From the pulpit, from Christian music and worship songs, from others within the church, friends, family. It is important to read and study the bible. But do we do it? In this day and age, with the seeming ongoing busyness of our lives, it is far more difficult to put time aside for certain things and activities. I know…I’ve been there too. Just not wanting to put in that time to read through a collection of books, letters and songs, that has been in existence for millennia. How could this collection of writings be of value to my life in this modern world we live in? I am often surprised in talking with other believers when they tell me that they struggle to read the bible, or simply don’t do it. Many of us don’t seem to understand why the bible exists, aside from the usage of individual verses for our comfort in times of trial or to share with others when they are struggling. Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 immediately come to mind to most of us I would think. I too have clung to those verses and others at times, reminding myself that God truly is faithful.
Hail Mary Bible Reading
I’m sure we are all familiar with the concept of hail Mary prayers. The term is taken from North American football…a last minute long pass when all other options have been taken away. We all have the propensity to engage in prayer in a similar way. When there is no other alternative, we throw up a prayer, crying out “Jesus, help me…”. These types of prayers are important, as they are a way of acknowledging that God truly is our best, last and only hope. At the same time, if these are the only prayers that we pray, we will not be maintaining a relationship with God on any level outside of asking Him as a last resort for the things we need. A marriage relationship wouldn’t be able to last for very long if that’s how we communicated with a spouse. Now back to Bible reading and study. If communicating with a spouse, or kids or friends was simply comprised of asking them for things, how would that go? In building, developing and maintaining our relationships with the people around us, we cannot engage with them just by quick asks, or even by just talking about us and our interests or needs. That is important of course, but in order to have healthy relationships, we need to know what they have to say to us as well. If I truly love somebody, I will be interested in what they have to say, even if it is about something that doesn’t particularly interest me. I put in the effort to engage with them on both sides of the conversation. Listening, learning, building bonds. Again, a relationship built only on my input will not last.
God’s primary method of speaking to us is through His word, the bible. This is not to say that we must worship the bible any more than that we need to put our conversations with others higher than those relationships. It is the person that is valuable…conversation is a method by which we build and contribute to those relationships. If God has and does converse with us through His word, should we not take the time to read it, getting to know Him better, learning from Him as to the direction He desires for our lives, knowing His heart, what pleases Him. I dare say, a healthy relationship with the Creator of all things, with the One who loves you more than you could ever hope or imagine really should be…really needs to be at the pinnacle of anything else in this life. God wants to know you on an intimate level, but He wants to be known in that way too! A Brief “Hail Mary” scripture verse to give us comfort or joy or peace is again valuable, but it’s simply not enough to carry on a healthy relationship any more than asking a friend or spouse to tell you something good to encourage you and then leaving the relationship at that. We need desperately to engage both ways in all our relationships. We need to engage with God in the same way, even more so.
Does it come down to relevance or interest?
I’ve heard people say that they don’t read the bible because it just isn’t really all that relevant to the modern world or to their personal lives. Or that they can’t read it because it is boring or they just don’t understand it.
Once again, there will be many conversations we will engage in with those we care about that don’t necessarily seem to be relevant to our lives, but we choose to follow what they are saying because of the respect we have for them, and because it is really the way to firmly establish our relationships.
However, no matter how much we may say that the bible seems irrelevant, that simply is not the case. If we look to scripture as truth, we cannot avoid Hebrews 4:12 which states, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. That description sounds to me like reading God’s word is in fact pretty relevant. God’s word, the bible is God’s living and active way of showing us how to live, of showing us who He is, and who we are within the context of all of life. How can we not try to develop that kind of relationship and receive guidance from He who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Bible reading and study also comes down to our relationships with those who are within our sphere of influence, whether that be friends, co-workers, family, or people we wish to help. How can we possibly hope to show them who God is, when we really don’t know ourselves. As the Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15, Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. In all honesty, I can not imagine how we could correctly explain the word of truth if we are only familiar with snippets of God’s conversations and instruction.
Beginning a faithful bible reading and study regimen can seem daunting. It’s a big book. Very rare do you find someone who can honestly say that they have read Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, largely due to the vastness of it. I’m certain that this is the case for many with the bible as well. Starting is half the battle I believe. Like wanting to start up a conversation with someone who you don’t really know all that well but recognize that relationship with them would be ultimately rewarding and fulfilling, it can feel awkward and uncomfortable to begin, but like relationships, it often begins with some small talk and the growth comes from there through effort and desire. Build growth from the endurance and yes, the work that is required.
So why is all this important?
Well…if anyone is worth getting to know, obtaining learning and understanding from…I’d say that God would be or should be at the very top of the list. Getting to understand God’s heart in a growing and healthy relationship is the most important thing that someone can decide to do. I found it difficult for a long time as well, but starting somewhere, and using discipline to further one’s bible reading, study, and the resulting knowledge and depth of relationship is definitely worth the effort. Eventually, through God’s help by way of the Holy Spirit within, we can truly find a love for God’s word. A passion and a need. That’s where God want’s our hearts to be…Fully engaged or trying to be fully engaged in our relationship and communion with Him. He loves us so very much, which we can see in the bible as well.
I truly hope that we can all get to the point of a need, a deep desire and even a conviction to read and study His word ever more deeply. We need to take the time, even if that may mean passing on some of our other passions and pursuits.
I know for certain, that one day when I’m standing before Jesus, I do not want to have to respond with “it was boring” or “I didn’t have the time” when He asks me why I didn’t get to know His word to me…to all of us.
Relationship with God is about love. Love going both ways. I want to know Him more, and to have Him know me. I pray the same for all of us.
