Revisiting Bible Friends

 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family...By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8a-9a  

 

 Years ago, my father-in-law said something to me that stuck in my mind. He said he liked to reread favorite books because it was like visiting with old friends again.  

I think Christians have a similar experience as we read the Bible. When we read about Noah and his goodness, and Abraham and his faithfulness, David and his courage, Ruth and her love for her mother-in-law, Samson and his great strength and terrible weakness, we revisit “old friends”. We see them learn and grow and we increase our faith as we read about their lives again and again. 

 

The greatest person we read about in the Bible is Jesus. Like His disciples long ago, we too can sit at His feet and learn from His teachings. We can see Him casting out devils, healing the sick, and raising the dead back to life. What a blessing to read and spend time in the pages of the Holy Bible. 

 

  It is easy to excuse a lack of Bible reading. We are busy, we are tired, perhaps sick, or some other reason or excuse arises. But the truth is that we rob ourselves when we neglect God’s word. How much stronger, wiser, more faithful might we be if we revisit the Book that launched us into the Christian life. Salvation is found in Jesus, and we find Jesus in the Bible. 

 

  I know how easy it is to excuse oneself from reading Scripture. There are lots of reasons. Yet if we would see Bible reading as a blessing rather than a chore or obligation. See it as a chance to revisit great men and women of old, and a Savior whose wisdom never grows stale. Viewing Bible reading as a pleasure rather than a duty could rekindle the joy we first had when we realized what a gift God’s Word is for the believer. 

 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, ignite a passion for Your word in our hearts and a desire to know you better by reading the Holy Bible. Amen.