Why Read the Bible - Part 2

From Duty to Delight

Let me first say that if you have any desire whatsoever to read the Bible right now, do that instead of reading this blog post, since my prayer here is that God would give you a desire for His Word... but if you lack desire, may these words be of encouragement:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away."

I have come to a realization over the years that, whether we know it or not, we are in a battle for our desires. Test what I'm about to say with scripture, but I would contend that worldly passions which diminish God are at war with passions that glorify God. And I plead with you to not be deceived by the things that war over your desire, for they are pulling you away from the source of life, the Word of God. From the moment you wake up to the moment you lie down-- newspaper, television, food, movies, music, video games, hobbies, sports, dreams, ambitions, money... all of these demand your heart's attention. But they will not satisfy. Pray, pray, pray for God to give you a desire for that which is more precious than all of these. Pray unceasingly (2 Thessalonians. 5:17) for a desire to know Him and to read the God-breathed scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17). There is so much more, but this is the beginning. This is the constant battle for our desires.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

Have the courage to pray to God and ask Him to make clear to you the things that are stealing your desires. Maybe even ask a brother in Christ if they see something you don't (this takes a lot of courage). Then ask God what He wants you to do, praying and searching His Word for answers...

Make the most of every opportunity, and sink your roots deep. May you be like that tree planted by the streams of water, yielding fruit and never withering.