IS READING THE BIBLE REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,
so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
(Romans 15:4)

MEDITATION:
We hear a lot about ‘hope’ for those who believe in the Lord, but what
does that really mean? Where can we find information regarding hope
for followers of Jesus Christ? We go to God’s Word – the Bible. Is it
really that important to read the Bible? Yes, it is!

The scriptures were not written just to give us another book to read.
The content for the Bible was provided by God who inspired others
to assemble His information into one book. When God is involved,
we will always receive much more than we expect. This is certainly
true whenever we spend time reading the scriptures.

Out conscience tells us in our innermost being that there is a God and
it also gives us an understanding of the moral difference between good
and evil; however, to understand the moral lessons from God we need
to read His Word.

It is only in the pages of the Bible where we can find the clear and
unmistakable message upon which all true Christianity is based.
Reading the Bible is a learning and a life experience. Scriptures
are loaded with information that teaches us about many things,
including the description, requirements and meaning of ‘hope’.

God knows how we struggle with many issues in life including
discouragement and perseverance. That’s why we need to spend
time reading God’s Word. When we do, we discover how we can
maintain endurance during problems and temptations.

Not only does this discovery provide us with needed encouragement,
but as we continue reading and meditating on what we read, we can
find more information on the benefits of being a follower of God’s
Son, Jesus Christ. Of course, the greatest benefit is to spend eternity
with Him! The Bible also gives us guidelines for living a Godly life.

Sadly, there are many of us who choose not to read the Bible and
we trudge through life with no stamina, no encouragement, and
no hope. At the end of our lives, we will discover too late how
important it was for us to read God’s Word. Reading the Bible
would have explained to us the requirements for receiving God’s
free gift of salvation, which would have put us on a path which
leads to spending eternity in heaven.

ACTION:
Questions we could ask ourselves:
    – Am I struggling with the relentlessness of problems and temptations?
    – Do I need some words of encouragement?
    – Am I searching for a purpose in this life
       and for a hope of a blissful eternity?

We should spend more time in God’s Word – not just reading the scriptures,
but also taking the time to meditate on the content of what we are reading.
For whatever reason, in addition to teaching Sunday School, God called me
in 2013 to start distributing devotionals around the world.

He has never failed to give me what He wants included in “His” devotionals
for everyone, including me. I believe His intent is to help us understand the
scriptures more and to motivate/inspire us to ‘dig deeper’ into His love
letters to mankind that are contained in one book – the Bible.

A sampling of verses on “hope”:
    But God will never forget the needy;
    the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
    (Psalm 9:18)

    Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are
    God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
    (Psalm 25:5)

    May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord, is in You.
    (Psalm 25:21)

    Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
    (Psalm 31:24)

    But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear
    Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love
    (Psalm 33:18)

    We wait in hope for the Lord;
    He is our help and our shield.
    (Psalm 33:20)

    May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in You.
    (Psalm 33:22)

    But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.
    (Psalm 39:7)

    Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed
    within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise
    Him, my Savior and my God.
    (Psalm 42:5)

    Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed
    within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise
    Him, my Savior and my God.
    (Psalm 42:11)

    Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed
    within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise
    Him, my Savior and my God.
    (Psalm 43:5)

    Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.
    (Psalm 62:5)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word, all contained
in one book. You have given us a book filled with encouragement and
instructions for living an enjoyable life. Your Word also gives us hope
for an overwhelmingly enjoyable eternity after our earthly life has ended.
Teach me to read Your Word more and to better understand the content
of what I read. Train me to set aside more time for reading the Bible. Show
me how Your instructions can give me strength to endure problems and
provide encouragement for living each day. As I read Your Words, clear
my mind needless clutter and distracting thoughts, so I can be aware of
and connect to Your message specifically to me for each day.”

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