Numbers aren’t my strong suit. I get dizzy just by hearing the word math. I thank God that all my math teachers were funny, which always helped me with the contemplation of dropping out of my math classes. As for writing and grammar, I was always excited to go to class. However, I struggled to attend my reading class. When I buy books, they are used as decorations collecting dust, including the Holy Bible. So, developing a reading habit, especially the Bible, might not be a natural desire for some of us. we have to train ourselves to do it. I have realized that few things matter when developing your interest in reading. The material(s) you choose to read matter, your consistency and attentiveness matter, and having the right approach also matters.
The material(s) we choose to focus on matters. Normally, we like to read books related to our career, or area of interest. For example, someone interested in Technology, will not use their money to purchase medical books because these books will not help increase his knowledge in what he is interested in. However, there is a book that we often neglect, and it is the Holy Bible. It may not say much about career or any of that fancy stuff, yet if we want to live a fulfilled abundant life, the Bible is the first and best book of choice. The Word of God is the only book that is “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105). It is the only book that guarantees the path to an abundant life now and eternally. The Psalmist David said to God: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). If what we read matters and we want to read books that increase our knowledge, the Holy Bible should be on top of the list.
The other thing that matters is consistency. It is key when reading the Bible just like anything else in life. When you first start reading the Bible, you may feel overwhelmed and wonder if you will ever finish it. Just remember that the goal is not to finish it, but to start it and remain consistent. So, if one paragraph, or verse a day, is all you can do, then do it. The key is to do it daily and allow the Holy Spirit to take it from there because He will. You’ll be surprised at how significant your efforts are to God even though you may think they are insignificant. When you show God consistency, God will spot you. In your consistency to His Word, you are saying to Him: “Here I am Lord, I am available to you”, or “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
Another thing that matters when reading the Bible is your attentiveness. It is so easy to get distracted when you decide to read the Bible because that’s when suddenly you feel hungry, thirsty, tired, overwhelmed, moody, itchy, sleepy, etc. You can blame it all on the enemy of your soul, and you must resist him meaning you must push through no matter what. For example, if you fell asleep while reading the Bible today, don’t quit. Ask God for His grace, go back at it again, and God will enable you. So, know what to expect once you have decided to read the Bible daily and fight back by resisting the enemy and remaining focused because “greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
And lastly, having the right approach matters. It is essential to approach the Bible as a student not as a professor no matter how many times you have read the entire book. After so many years of hearing sermons or Bible verses from parents, pastors, family members, or even friends, it is easy to open the Bible thinking you have heard it all or seen it all. But remember that the Bible is a sacred book and there is no way to know all that there is to know about God even if you read the Bible over and over again. However, God promises to increase our knowledge and understanding through the Holy Spirit as we remain in His Word. He promises to guide our steps every season as we abide in Him and His Word. We approach the Holy Scripture as a student rather than a professor because we realize we can’t figure things out based on our own understanding. It is a sign of surrender and a way of saying to the Holy Spirit: “Master, I need your help!” And that’s why we pray before we do anything even before we open the Bible to read it.
If you are struggling with your commitment to reading the Bible, don’t lose heart because God sees you. what I love about God is that He is not seeking perfection, and I can’t thank Him enough for His grace. God is looking for your sincerity of heart and your willingness to obey. He doesn’t condemn you when you struggle to do something He’s asked you to do. If God says repeatedly that He will strengthen us, it’s because He is aware of our weaknesses. All God needs from us is our sincerity, and compliance with His word, which is the willingness to step toward what He’s asked of us even if we must fully rely on His strength to get it done. God is our Maker so we cannot be too prideful to ask Him for help and acknowledge the need for His strength. When we have a heart posture of total dependence on Him, my friends, that’s how we can see the power of God move in us and through us in ways that we never thought were possible. We just need to trust and obey.
God Bless You!
SCRIPTURES
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
“The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8
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