A Good Read!
Do you like to read? If not, you are falling into the norm for most Americans. Our society has a tendency not to pick up literature and sit down and read anymore. Instead, more people are trending to videos and even audio books for their interests in life. I will admit, that I don’t always care to read books. With so much out there, it is hard to know what is worth reading. However, there is one book I can recommend to you. In fact, it’s several books written in one volume. It’s called the Bible. There is so much that you can find within the pages of this Holy Book. This is the reason why Paul makes the statement that he does in Romans 15:4, the Bible says “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Paul was an avid reader of the scripture. So much, that even while he was in prison he told Timothy to bring him the scrolls & parchments and his coat, that while he was there he could read what brought him the most encouragement. That being the scripture. You know, the Bible has away of encouraging us through tough times. So many have faced difficulties, that its wonderful to read the beautiful words that they say about God when He has brought them through their trial.
David wrote the longest book in the Bible, the book of Psalms. Most of this tremendous book was written while David was fleeing from Saul. In it, David teaches us how to look to God during those hard times of life and be dependent on Him. Solomon follows suit with the book of Proverbs, and within its pages we learn valuable wisdom that will help us grow in our spiritual walk. In fact, all the books of the Bible have a very special purpose. They teach us, they reveal the Lord’s love to us, they even comfort us when we are lonely.
Paul really knew what to say about the Bible, because he read it often. Yes, he only had the Old testament and the letters from the disciples, but through those few books, Paul saw within them the message of Christ. That’s one reason that he wrote so much to the early churches. He wanted them to understand the scripture. He didn’t even realize it, but God was putting the words in his heart that would not only speak to those early churches but to us here today.
However, you hear this excuse so much. That the Bible is difficult to read and understand. Folks, I know that some of the Bible can be difficult, I have even found myself neglecting to read it from time to time. But what I have found when I am not reading the Bible is that I’m more likely to give in to temptation and sin, but if I read the Bible and listen to what words I understand, the parts I don’t understand begin to become more clearer. Listen, this book can keep you from sin or sin can keep you from this book.
So, let me conclude with this, do you read your Bible? If not, why not? Are you just making excuses? Its freely available to all who want to read it today. In fact, I bet you can find an app to put on your phone or tablet that will remind you to read. Why not pick up this love letter and see what your Lord wants you to know.
- Pastor Eric Narron
