‘From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith.’ 2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV
People are afraid of the Bible for any number of reasons. For some, it’s such a big book that it scares them, and they don’t know where to start. Others think because it’s such an ancient book, covering such a long historical time period, and includes so many themes, that they could never figure it out. So let’s try to simplify it. Think of the Bible as a library that includes 66 books of widely varying length. Those books were written over a period of 1500 years, by more than 40 people from all kinds of cultural and educational backgrounds. It’s extraordinarily unique and consistent in that the words of each book were ‘given by inspiration’, or literally ‘breathed out’ by God. (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)
Taken together, the books of the Bible tell the story of God’s amazing love for us, reaching a climax at the cross. As Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’ (2 Timothy 3:14–15 NKJV)
The Bible is principally the story of God’s love for you. So every time you read it, allow it to unfold in your heart as a love letter written to you by God. As you read and meditate on it your fears and worries will be resolved, your questions will be answered, and you’ll find strength and guidance for daily living.
SoulFood: Gen 47–49, Matt 21:33–46, Ps 112, Pr 7:6–9
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©