How often does it occur that you finish reading a 1,000plus-page book one day and begin reading it all over again the next? I found this question to be rather stimulating as I finished my yearlong Bible reading plan only to start all over again (it actually took me more than a year). I’m amazed at God’s word, how it is continually fresh and challenging no matter the number of times read. As I finished reading it through, I’m hungrier to read it through this next time than I was the previous time.
Consider some quotes from some saints who have gone before us:
“In truth you cannot read too much in Scripture; and what you read you cannot read too carefully, and what you read carefully you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well. . . .” This quote comes from Martin Luther, who, for a number of years, read through the Bible twice a year.
“Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God's appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . . . Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs. I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more.” George Muller
We’re almost exactly halfway through 2008. You, like me, may not be on your second read through the Bible this year, but if you’re struggling to make it through God’s word once this year, may this serve as some encouragement to that end.
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