Last Sunday—particularly on Sunday night—we focused on Bible reading for the new year. I thought the testimonies were powerful, because if you are new to a church like ours, imagine coming into a church where it’s expected that you are a student of the Word. That sounds like a good church. I hope you weren’t thinking, “Please don’t call on me!”
Are you in the Bible? I was encouraged that two people told me that they are doing the 90-day challenge! That’s a quick read. Many others told me of the other daily plans they are in. I love it. You don’t have to read the Bible to go to heaven, but it will sure help prepare you!
As I opened my Bible to Psalm 19, I found some old sermon notes, presumably from one of Dad’s sermons years ago. It was a sermon called “10 Reasons To Read the Word Daily” and was as follows:
1. It is the only perfect thing we have to hold and read each day in this life.
Everything else we rely on in life is imperfect in some way. I read dozens of books last year, but only one perfect book—the Bible. When we open the Word of God, we reading his exact words to us. God has spoken everything we need to live a godly life, and we are not waiting for visions, golden tablets, or dreams to give us more. There is nothing lacking in what He has given us, and nothing else that needs to be added to make it reliable or trustworthy (also see 2 Pet. 1:3.)
Psalm 19:7a “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:”
2. Reading moves us from simple to wise.
We are all somewhere on that line. No one starts out wise, and wisdom does not come all at once. It develops over time as God’s Word reshapes how we think, so we should live lives saturated with God’s Word. Even when we do not fully understand everything we read, God is still using the discipline of being in His Word to move us forward.
Psalm 19:7b “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
3. Reading what we know is right gives us a rejoicing heart, even in troubled times.
There is a kind of joy that comes simply from knowing you are standing on solid ground. When life is hard or confusing, we can rest in the certainty that God’s Word is right. That confidence produces rejoicing, not because of circumstances but because of the truth that does not change.
Psalm 19:8a “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:”
4. It improves our vision.
God’s Word helps us see things more clearly than we could on our own. It sharpens our perspective for the long walk of life, and it gives direction for everyday decisions. The world is not a naturally bright or clear place, so we need the Scriptures to be a light for our path and glasses to enlighten our eyes.
Psalm 19:8b “the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
5. It keeps us in regard to the Lord’s judgments.
Regular time in Scripture keeps us in mind of God’s authority. We tend to get caught up in the lowly things of this world, but daily devotions helps connect this life to our eternal purpose. Without the Word continually shaping our thinking, those things slowly drift. Solomon drifted, at at the end of his life concluded that the main point of life was to “fear God, and keep his commandments” in Ecc. 12:13.
Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
6. The more regularly we taste it, the sweeter and more valuable it becomes.
Spiritual hunger often develops after consistency, not before it. Many believers do not start with a strong appetite for Scripture, but over time it grows. Unlike other routines that grow stale or repetitive, the Word of God deepens in sweetness. The longer we stay with it, the more we realize how precious it truly is.
Psalm 19:10 “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
7. It has a built-in early warning system.
God’s Word warns us before sin gains momentum and before small compromises become serious problems. It exposes danger early, while there is still time to respond. This warning is merciful, not cruel!
Psalm 19:11a “Moreover by them is thy servant warned:”
8. It is so rewarding.
When God’s Word is fresh in our minds, obedience becomes more natural. We are far more likely to live within God’s will when we clearly know what He has said. God promises reward not just for knowing His Word, but for obeying it.
Psalm 19:11b “and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
9. It helps discover and deal with hidden sins and faults.
The Word of God reveals things in us that we often cannot see on our own. It exposes attitudes and motives before they fully develop into deeper sin. Rather than allowing problems to remain hidden, Scripture brings them into the light where repentance can take place.
Psalm 19:12 “Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.”
10. It helps keep us from our natural tendency towards sin and arrogance.
Our natural drift is toward pride. We become presumptuous and resistant to correction. Left unchecked, those presumptuous sins lead to destruction. God’s Word humbles us and keeps sin from gaining control over us before it is too late.
Psalm 19:13 “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
In closing…
We serve a God who communicates. Through creation we see His majesty, but through the Scriptures we hear His exact words to us.
So child, teen, adult… How are you doing today with your Bible? I am not asking about someone else. I am not asking about how you used to be. What about you? How are you doing today?