Why read the Bible every day?

19.07.22

‘Life goes on day after day.’ Singer and songwriter Gerry Marsden (a contemporary of The Beatles) penned these words in his famous song Ferry Cross the Mersey. To me they aptly signpost the importance of reading the Bible every day.

King David, the psalmist, writes, ‘You make known to me the path of life…’ (Psalm 16:11a NIV). Jesus, quoting Scripture, said, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 NIV). The Apostle Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, explains that, ‘All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right’. (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT).

It seems clear that, if we want to know the path of life, to know what is true, and learn to do what is right, then we need to read Scripture – the Bible. What’s more, as life does indeed ‘go on day after day’, then reading the Bible is not a ‘one hit wonder’ – to continue on our journey to know the path of life, we need to read God’s Word every day. In fact, we are encouraged to study God’s instruction day and night… ‘Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV).

Therefore, as we take steps along the path of life each day, truth and righteousness are revealed to us. Moreover, with each step we come closer and closer to God, sure in the promise that, as we do, He will come close to us (James 4:8 NASB). And what a promise that is! With each turn of the page we can increasingly experience God’s presence, entering the gates of his Kingdom with thanksgiving and joy! (Psalm 100:4 NIV, Psalm 16:11 NIV). This is how, every day we can realise our true identity, as God’s children, affirmed and loved by Him (1 John 3:1 NIV) and where His joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10b).

Jesus promises that, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b) and by believing in Him, we can have that full, eternal life (John 3:16 NIV). But, because ‘life goes on, day after day’, we have a choice. We can stand still, our faith limited by our current understanding of God. OR we can choose to move forward and grow – by learning more about Him by investing in our relationship with Him - deepening and enriching our belief, and experiencing more of the fullness of life that He offers.

And if that isn’t a good enough reason on its own to read the Bible daily – I don’t know what is!

If you want to come closer to God and deepen your understand of the Bible, whether you are mature in your faith or new to being a Christian, we hope you’ll find our Bible reading notes helpful – take a look here

Click here for: Fresh from The Word 2022 – Bible reading notes

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