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Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your Law (Psalm 119:18, NASB).
Charles Spurgeon, known as the Prince of Preachers, once described all the books he had read by saying. . .
I read them once with considerable pleasure, but now they are of no use to me. They were good in their way once but so were the clothes I wore ten years ago, but I have outgrown them. These books are of no use to me now. . .
But nobody outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years!
Every time I read a chapter of the Bible, I learn something new, even if I’ve read the chapter 30 times. That’s why I read the Bible over and over and have followed this discipline for years.
My Bible reading plan can be simply described as over and over, again and again.
But a plan must have specifics. If you’re on vacation and your spouse asks, “What’s the plan for today?” It’s something specific: go to this place, and then that place, to other places, and then arrive back at the hotel late in the day, exhausted.
My Bible reading plan of over and over, again and again, is a plan that refreshes, never leaving me exhausted! Other plans can be tedious, but Bible reading can be so much more.
I follow these rules:
- Have a place. I can’t emphasize this enough. Find a chair and sit in it regularly to read the Bible. It will become your holy space, and after a while, just sitting in the chair will quiet your soul.
- Read a paper Bible. I tried reading my Bible on a screen and found it too easy to click on Facebook™ for updates on friends. Also, actual reading and turning pages focuses my attention. Recent studies indicate that tactile learning lends to easier retention.
- Use the same translation. I read the New American Standard Bible (NASB). Why? I started with it 50 years ago, and the chapters that I’ve memorized are from the NASB. We should all pick a paper Bible of one translation to read.
- Develop a Bible reading plan. I use the “three-circle” Bible reading plan. (I elaborate on this plan in my next Interruption #1442.) Whatever plan you use should take you over and over, again and again, through the Bible. Have a lifetime goal of reading the Bible 30 times!
- Pray this prayer. . .
Father, give me hunger for your Word today. Give me insight into the meaning of your Word that I read today. Speak to me how I need to apply what I read today. And allow me to remember your Word.
Hunger — Insight — Speak — Apply — Remember! God will answer this prayer.
I’ve been amazed at how often what I read in the morning will apply to what I encounter during the day. I’ve overcome temptation, praised God for sending angels, and seen miracles — all of it rooted in my morning Bible reading.
Over and over, again and again!