Why is it important to read the Bible daily? - Part 1: Personal Reasons
As a Christian dedicated in infancy, I do not remember life without prayer or knowing Jesus. I do, however, remember a time when I didn't read the Bible daily. Now, I do my best to not go a day without it. I'm not an expert. I'm not planning to become a theologian or pastor. And yet, there are several reasons why I read scripture daily.
Around age 35, I battled depression and anxiety. My sister-in-law gave me a helpful book by a Christian author. The author's main suggestions made me stop short:
Spend time each day with God in prayer and in scripture.
The prayer piece I had down. The reading the Bible part, not so much. At the time, life was crazy. I worked a 5:00 AM shift and took care of our three little girls. I didn't know where to fit reading scripture into my schedule. But, I immediately made it a priority and fit it in where I could.
Wondering how to consistently spend daily time with God? Read my tips here.
I woke up early on my days off to pray and read the Bible in silence, before my family got up and going. I brought my Bible to work and read during my morning break. I listened to Christian podcasts on my drive home from work. Soon, I craved reading God's word and found many benefits to doing so.
Personal Reasons Why I Read the Bible Daily:
I love God and want to spend time with Him.
I want to learn about God - The Bible is the best place to learn about God. It is the story of God's love and relationship with His people. By reading scripture, we learn about God's character, blessings, and promises to those who love Him.
I want to grow closer to God - Spending time with and getting to know someone is the best way to grow closer to them. Spending time with God in prayer, scripture, and praise is the best way to grow closer to Him. Scripture helps us get to know God, which allows us to understand Him and His love for us. This opens our eyes to more reasons for praise and thanks. All of which, deepens our love for God.
I want to follow God's commands and path for my life - God is my Creator. He is my Father in Heaven. He knows better than anyone what is best for me and will bring good for all who love Him.
I want to be ready - I want to be ready when God calls me to do something or tell someone about Him. I also want to be ready to meet Jesus and be with God for eternity.
As our kids grow and my schedule continues to shift according to my family's needs, I still prioritize scripture. When school is out, I still wake up early to pray and read scripture in silence. When school is in session, I'm able to read the Bible after everyone is on their way for the day. On days when I'm up and out of the house early, I listen to scripture on podcasts and in Christian music. If all else fails, I catch scripture posted throughout our home on memory cards and artwork.
How about you? Why do you read the Bible daily?
PS - This post turned into three! There are so many reasons to read the Bible daily. Watch for posts about Biblical and social reasons. Coming soon!
