Each month, we’re going to reflect on what we’ve been reading in the Know His Word reading plan. We’ll call this Reading His Word. You’ll hear excerpts from Bible studies and reflections from our team and others reading alongside us. This month we’re sharing some reflections adapted from Open Your Bible, a Bible study by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams. Enjoy!
The Bible is for you, and it is for right now. It’s for you if you’ve never read it, and it’s for you if you have seventeen doctorates in theology. (Anyone?) It’s for the moment you are so overcome with grief that your body forgets to breathe in and out on its own, and it’s for the time you really don’t have time to open its pages for yourself.
We do not have to be biblical scholars to read this Book. You, right where you are, do not have to wait for someone to take you by the hand to open the pages of Scripture. You can open your Bible just as you are.
Move forward knowing you are not disqualified. No amount of knowledge or accomplishments makes you more or less able to meet God in His Word. Nothing you are doing, have done, or will do renders you ineligible for the good news of the gospel.
All the things you imagine you’ve done wrong when it comes to your “quiet time”? The lostness you feel when you consider opening The Book of All Books for the very first time? Let them go. Understand here and now that yes, this Book is holy and it is sacred and good. But this Book exists for moments just like this—the moment you lay it open and look for Him.
We’ve been reading this month from Psalm 119. Look back at the following verses and consider in each one what Scripture gives us.
Verse 98: Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are always with me.
Scripture gives wisdom.
Verse 107: I am severely afflicted;
Lord, give me life according to your word.
Scripture gives life.
Verse 130: The revelation of your words brings light
and gives understanding to the inexperienced.
Scripture gives understanding.
Verse 147: I rise before dawn and cry out for help;
I put my hope in your word.
Scripture gives hope.
Verse 165: Abundant peace belongs to those
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.
Scripture gives peace.
We read God’s Word for all of these things and more. When we look at the various genres and divisions of the Bible, we can see how they are important for understanding the whole story of Scripture.
We read the Law understanding that today, we are under the New Covenant. The Law is not void; rather, it is fulfilled in Christ.
We read books of History understanding they are stories of imperfect people with imperfect actions, collectively pointing us to the greater story of the gospel of Christ.
We read books of Wisdom as a collection with a unified message, rather than precise statements. We read books of Poetry understanding they are words spoken to and about God, yet also inspired by God.
We read books of Prophecy understanding the historical context in which they were written and keeping in mind the big picture of God’s faithful covenant to an unfaithful people.
We read the Gospels understanding they are the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We read Acts to learn more about Paul and Peter and the work of the Holy Spirit to spread the message of our resurrected Savior and Lord.
We read the Letters understanding the historical and spiritual context in which they were written, making sure to read each letter as a whole for the most complete understanding.
We read the complex book of Revelation with humility, understanding that it, too, points to the gospel and reveals Jesus Christ as King of kings, the Alpha and the Omega.
We read every genre and division of Scripture to know Jesus better. We hope you’ll continue to join us as we read selections from each division this year in our quest to Know His Word and, ultimately, to know Him.
This article was adapted from Open Your Bible by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, a Bible study we recommend for learning all about His Word, how to read it, and how to apply it to your life!
