Honey: Psalm 19:7–11

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Bible reading is an opportunity. Bible reading—as well as praying and church attendance and others forms of regular personal spiritual disciplines—shouldn’t be seen as requirements, duties, chores, or achievements by which you can measure yourself or others. Instead, they are opportunities. Take what David wrote about Bible reading in Psalm 19:

[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;

                            the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

              [8] the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

                            the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

              [9] the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

                            the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

              [10] More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

                            sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

              [11] Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

                             in keeping them there is great reward. (ESV)

Consider the ways God intends to meet you, the real you, through the Bible. Are you feeling down (7a), unsure (7b), conflicted about right and wrong (8a), with lots of differing voices in your ears (8b)? Do you struggle with fear of others (9a) or doubts (9b)? Do you want to be satisfied (10), need wisdom (11a), hope for reassurances (11b)? Think of reading your Bible as an opportunity. There’s good stuff in there. It’s a book of honey, full of help for the real you.

C.S. Lewis, in his preface to Why God Became Man by St. Anselm, counseled us not to read books about old books, but to simply read the old books. When it comes to Bible reading, the same applies: don’t settle for reading only your study Bible notes, your devotionals, the inspirational comments from spiritual people, or whatever this little column is. Read the Bible. And don’t be intimidated by it. Read the Bible prayerfully, asking for wisdom. Hold your Bible discoveries with humility, not rushing to form opinions in panicked insecurity. Don’t know where to start? Try the Gospel of Matthew.

My professor Don Whitney taught me, after you read for a few minutes, pause and reflect on what you read for an equal amount of time, even praying during that reflection. When you are reading, don’t think of achieving duration (how long you wanted to read) or quantity (how many verses/chapters you wanted to read). Instead, read until you get something. Then stop, prayerfully reflecting on it. Say it aloud so it sticks in your memory for the day even.

It’s perfectly fine to read all those other things if they point you to Jesus Christ, but don’t let them be a substitute. What really fills you is the sweet honey of the Bible, the book that God in Heaven uses to talk to the real you. Go ahead and make a plan to read the Bible.