A recent issue of the Canadian Bible Society Newsletter stated: “Many people have a guilty conscience when the topic of Bible reading comes up. In one way, the Bible is the world’s least read bestseller! Scripture sales continue to soar and the Bible is still a bestseller. But how many read the Bible regularly and systematically? Many of us resolve to do better periodically, but for one reason or another, meaningful reading and meditation on the Word tapers off.”
Our problem as well
We, too, like other Bible readers, struggle from time to time with this same dilemma. While God provides us with daily opportunities to read His book we often spend this time on a proliferation of other activities. True, there are periods when we use our opportunities for scripture reading, but these are often followed by interludes when Bible reading is neglected.
Even with the best of intentions, it is easy to drift from being a regular to an irregular reader of the Word. Although Paul was not talking about Bible reading when he said it, his words, “For what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Rom. 7:15) hit the mark on this subject.
An early start
Considering our own problems, we marvel that shortly after his baptism, while still in his teens, Bro. Robert Roberts formulated the Bible companion to help him read the scriptures regularly. His Bible reading began firstly “for information and then for daily sustenance.”
Although he read discursively at first, he soon adopted a more systematic approach. Initially, he read four Old Testament portions at breakfast and three New Testament portions at dinner. After eight months, he considered it to be too much and so continued with two OT and two NT portions for some years. Still later, he read two OT and one NT portion at a single sitting, establishing the pattern that formed the Bible Companion.
A minimum
This daily half hour spent in reading God’s word is still regarded in Christadelphia as a minimal standard for our devotions. Bro. Roberts obviously spent longer with the word than this as he continued throughout his life to provide exhortational, prophetical and doctrinal expositions.
Why should we often find it hard to devote even the minimum time on a daily basis? Indeed, how do we use the time that we gain from neglecting the scriptures and what is the benefit we gain from doing alternative activities? (Matt. 16:26). Perhaps we select activities designed for relaxation or self improvement. Maybe the urgent needs of other people demand our attention. Each of us can offer our own special case as reasons for our neglect, but there is no use dwelling on these.
Perhaps what we require, as a new year begins, is some additional persuasion that daily reading from the scriptures is basic to our spiritual wellbeing. As the Psalmist says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). In this dark world, we certainly need to see this light before we stumble.
Reasons for daily reading
If you come from a Christadelphian family you may have participated in the daily readings even before you could actually read yourself. While Bro. Roberts personally realized the need for daily Bible readings, your initial decision may have been made by your parents. Force of habit may thus have taken over and the more important reasons never considered.
There are, however, very valid Bible-based reasons for daily reading.
Wise unto salvation
Paul exhorts Timothy: “Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” and then reminds him that from childhood Timothy had “known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 4:13; II Tim. 3:15). The scriptures still possess this quality which is contained in no other book.
Here we learn God’s standards and principles; here our minds are filled with the vocabulary of right praise; here we are refreshed regarding the kingdom to come; here we are told historical incidents from the divine point of view, with the emphasis being just right for our development in godliness; here, alone, we have the voice of God speaking to us, molding our thoughts that we might be rightly equipped for godly living. What a resource we have so close at hand and so carefully preserved by our Father.
As necessary as milk
Peter instructs us: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Pet. 2:2). Just as an infant requires milk to grow and thrive, we need to feed on the word of God.
Since Peter compared God’s word to a newborn’s diet, he implies a regular feeding and he suggests a level of interest like that of a hungry infant. How eagerly we should yearn to read scripture regularly. The Psalmist expresses such a desire. Speaking of God’s statutes he says: “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psa. 19:10).
Showing appreciation
No matter how the readings are done this year, let us keep in mind that God has given His word to us for our eternal salvation. Let us show the appreciation of reading it carefully and then following it in our lives.
Careful reading and meditation on scripture prepares us for meeting Him, as one day we must. Would it not be a dreadful thing to have to confess that we had always intended to read the Bible regularly, but somehow we had always been distracted by something else that seemed more important at the time.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One