Reading the Bible Daily and Resolutions
I’ve never been one to make New Year resolutions, but others do. A popular New Year resolution among believers is to take up a daily reading plan of the Bible. To the glory of God I have done just that for many years so I thought I would share some of the things that I do to continue reading my Bible daily.
1. Dependency: In order to maintain a daily Bible reading plan you must first have dependency on God. I do not read my Bible daily to meet some goal or quota. I read my Bible daily because I have too. Ray Comfort said, “No Bible no breakfast, no read no feed.” (Comfort, 2015). Reading my Bible every morning is equivalent to eating in that I am not going to go a day without eating, therefore, I am not going to go a day without reading my Bible.
2. Consistency: Since I picked up the Bible, I have always read my Bible and prayed first thing every morning. Have a plan; no matter what time I have to leave the house in the morning I set my alarm clock to go off 2 hours prior to the time I have to leave. This gives me 15 minutes to get out of bed and sit down in my study, an hour to spend reading my Bible and praying, then about 45 minutes to get ready to depart the house.
3. Prayer: Augustine of Hippo said, “Grant what Thou commandest and command what Thou wilt.” (Augustine, 354-430). This prayer by Augustine is indicative of his belief in the sovereignty of God. He prayed for God to command whatever He wills, but to also give Him the ability to do what He commands. Augustine understood that unless God gives him the ability to carry out his commands that he cannot. Jesus said to the Jews that believed in Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” (Jn 8:31-32). Pray for God to grant you the ability to read His word daily. He said that we should continue in His word, therefore, ask Him to give you what He has commanded.
I think it is good for anyone to commit to reading their Bible daily, but understand that this is not a pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and do it kind of thing. To continue to read your Bible everyday you will need dependency on God, consistency with a plan, and prayer. May the Lord bless you and keep you during the coming year.
In Christ alone,
Mike Peek
