Revive Me, Week 11– A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord
Read the Bible Through
It doesn’t get any more basic than that. Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve read the Bible from cover to cover. Or maybe you’ve never actually made it all the way through. How many times have you started reading Genesis one on January first but ended up getting bogged down somewhere in Leviticus?
When my middle son, Dale, told me he was going to read two chapters in the Old Testament and two chapters in the New Testament every day, I decided to join him. It has been so great! We keep saying things like, “Did you notice verse four? I don’t remember ever seeing that before.” For instance, if someone had asked me where we read about the land where the good gold is, I would’ve been surprised to learn that it’s in Genesis two, a chapter I thought I was pretty familiar with. These little nuggets (ha!) keep popping up as I enjoy reading through the chapters each day.
It seems like reading the Bible through has gotten a bad rap. While we do need to include digging deep in our personal Bible study, what could be more reviving than making sure our eyes see every word in the Word?
“…Your word has revived me” (Psa. 119:50).
“Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word” (Psa. 119:107)
There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. If you read four chapters a day, it will take you 297 days to read the whole inspired Word. There just happen to be 292 days left in this year! You could easily double up on the reading for a couple of days (especially with those shorter psalms). On December 31st, you’ll be able to look back over this past year with satisfaction, knowing that you read the whole Bible from cover to cover!
WHEN I READ THE BIBLE THROUGH
(Amos Wells)
I supposed I knew my Bible
Reading piecemeal, hit and miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah
Certain Psalms (the twenty-third!);
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs—
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!
But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.
You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel, aweary,
And yawn thro’ a hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings
As you treat no other book—
Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude, impatient look—
Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through!
Suggestions for the Week:
- If you’re not already on a Bible reading plan, get started today.
- Ask someone to join you. Not only will this add an accountability factor, it’ll make it even more enjoyable as you share your thoughts with each other.
- Pray before and after your reading. Ask God to open your eyes to His truths and to soften your heart to His will.
- Look for opportunities to share what you’re learning!
Image credit: pinterest
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 