Reading and Studying the Word of God

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their body.

Proverbs 4: 20–22 NASB

The Bible was written over a span of fifteen centuries by more than forty authors from all walks of life: from kings to farmers, historians to fishermen, and prophets to apostles. It was written in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek), in four different geopolitical regions: the Middle East, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, and Southern Europe. Some books were written and edited, like Moses’ books (namely: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). Jews refer to these holy books as the Torah. Some books were dictated to a scribe (Paul’s epistles) and some were the result of scholarly research (Luke and Acts). Every word of Scripture is breathed out by God, yet every word was written by a human being who was inspired by the Holy Spirit; the Bible is therefore totally divine and totally human. The Bible insists that God is all knowing, therefore it is impossible for him to be uninformed or incorrect in a judgement or statement of fact. Psalm 119: 160 says, The entirety of your word is truth, and Hebrews 6: 18 states, It is impossible for God to lie. In addition to God’s character, archaeological findings corroborate various customs, types of literature, rulers and events recorded in the Bible, and as time goes on, archaeology continues to verify many of Scripture’s claims. Perhaps the greatest testimony to the truthfulness of God’s Word is its power to change the human heart, it is transformational. God’s Word is true because God is true and unchanging. (Answers to Questions About the Bible, David Jeremiah)

The Bible has been maligned, derided, scorned, hated; people have worn themselves out trying to destroy it. Voltaire, eighteenth century French philosopher reportedly said that in a hundred years, the Bible would be forgotten. For all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field: the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. (1 Peter 1: 24–25 NIV®) The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible message to us. We can’t claim to know God if we are not reading the Scriptures, and some Christians never read the Bible, so they do not know the joy of having a relationship with God. The Bible is timeless and as we ask God to help us understand his Word, He gives us wisdom. We are guided along right paths as the Bible refreshes our souls, renews our minds, re focuses our vision, makes us aware of Biblical principles and provides helpful advice in every situation of life, e.g. finance, health, discipline, family matters, etc. God’s wonderful message and gift to us still stands.

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19: 7–8 NASB

Why do Christians need to read and study the Bible?

• The Bible came directly from God’s heart, so we could know Him and His purpose.
• Through the Bible, we learn about God’s unconditional love for us.
• As a follower of Christ, we look to the Bible for instruction on how to live in today’s world.
• The Bible corrects and teaches us to refrain from sin and resist Satan’s snares.
• The Bible encourages us to do the things we know we should do- such as to love others, to be a servant to all, and to forgive, as we have been forgiven.
• As we study God’s Word, we draw closer to Him and develop a deeper understanding of His love for us.
• Through the Holy Spirit, the Word of God illumines our understanding as we seek to know Him better.
• We don’t have to stumble through on our own. Answers to daily living are found in the pages of the Bible. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119: 105)
• God’s Word helps Christians to grow and mature spiritually- to move beyond the basics of Christianity to an ever-growing faith and closeness with God. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
• New Christians are encouraged to leave behind the infant-stage in their knowledge of God. First Peter 2:2 says, “As new born babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby.”

Let us pray:

Father, help us to commit ourselves to reading and studying the Bible daily so that our minds and hearts will be open to the light which you bring into our lives. Please give us peace through the forgiveness of sins; and love of you and our neighbours; help us to look forward to your promise of a future home in heaven. May we approach your Word with humility and a deep desire to read and understand.  Lord in your mercy; Hear our prayer.

Amen

Loving God, help us not only to stand in awe of your Creation but also to treat it responsibly. Recently, some countries have had devastating floods and fires. Please increase the awareness of all countries with respect to how we use the world’s resources, because we are seeing the destructive results of carelessness towards the earth over decades of misuse. Good Lord, please comfort and provide for the suffering and grieving. Help us to love and worship you our Creator, and to see you in Creation, as well as in the Scriptures. Let us realise that it is not enough to admire you as the God of wisdom, power and providence who made everything. We need to know you as Saviour and Redeemer.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Amen

Loving God, please guide and direct scientists and the government so that they will make wise decisions with respect to the coronavirus and easing of restrictions. Help us to be considerate and understand that with freedom comes the responsibility to be concerned about others. Please comfort and heal those suffering from the virus, and other illnesses. Father, we pray for all NHS staff, persons working in care homes, nursing homes and other facilities who give so much of themselves.

Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Amen

Lord, thy word abideth,
and our footsteps guideth,
who its truth believeth
light and joy receiveth.

When the storms are o’er us,
and dark clouds before us,
then its light directeth,
and our way protecteth.

Henry Williams Baker (1821–1877)

Church family, let us thank God for his goodness in keeping us alive through another night, and pledge to serve others willingly, because it is in giving that we find ourselves.

Glynne Gordon-Carter