THE HABIT OF BIBLE READING (part 3)

Helps to Bible Study. The Bible is a big book, in reality a library of books, of the far distant past. And we need all the help we can get in trying to understand it. A Bible Dictionary, of the right kind, is the best of helps. A Commentary, of the right kind, is most valuable. And every one should have a Concordance.
But even so, it is surprising how largely the Bible is Self-Interpretive when we know what is in it. There are difficulties a plenty in the Bible, even beyond the comprehension of the most erudite. But, for all that, the Main Teachings of the Bible are unmistakable, so plain that “wayfaring men, though fools, need not err therein.”

Accept the Bible Just As It Is, for Exactly What It Claims To Be. Don’t worry about the theories of the critics. The ingenious and impudent effort of modern criticism to undermine the historical reliability of the Bible will pass; and the BIBLE ITSELF will still Stand as the Light of the Human Race to the End of Time. Pin your faith to the Bible. It is God’s Word. It will never let you down. For men, it is the Rock of Ages. Trust its teachings; and be happy forever.

Read the Bible with an Open Mind. Don’t try to straight-jacket all its passages into the mold of a few pet doctrines. And don’t read into its passages ideas that are not there, not even for a sermon. But try to search out fairly and honestly the main teachings and lessons of each passage. Thus we will come to believe what we ought to believe; for the Bible is abundantly able to take care of itself, if given a chance.

Read the Bible Thoughtfully. In Bible reading, we need to watch ourselves very closely, lest our thoughts wander, and our reading become perfunctory and meaningless. We must determine resolutely to keep our minds on what we are reading, doing our best to form an intelligent conception of it, and being on the lookout for lessons for ourselves.

Keep a Pencil at Hand. It is a good thing, as we read, to mark passages we like; and, now and then, run through the pages, and review, and re-read, passages thus marked. In time a well-marked Bible will become very dear to us, as the day draws near for us to meet the Author.

Habitual, Systematic Reading of the Bible is what counts. Occasional, or Spasmodic, reading does not mean much. Unless we have some sort of System to follow, and hold to it with Resolute Determination, the chances are that we will not read the Bible any too much. Our Inner Life, like our fleshly body, needs its Daily Food.

A Certain Time Each Day, whatever our plan of reading, should be set aside for it. Otherwise we are apt to neglect it.
First thing in the morning is good, if our routine of work permits. Or, in the evening, at the close of the day’s work, we might find ourselves freer from the strain of hurry.
Or, maybe, both morning and evening. For some, a period in the middle of the day might be more suitable.
The particular time of day does not greatly matter. The important thing is that we choose a time that best fits in with our daily round of work; and that we try to hold ourselves to it, and not be discouraged if now and then our routine is broken into by things beyond our control.
On Sundays, we might do a good part of our Bible Reading, as it is the Lord’s Day, set aside for the Lord’s Work.

Memorize the Names of the Bible Books. Do this very first thing. The Bible is composed of sixty-six books. Each of these books is about Something. The starting point for any sort of intelligent conception of the Bible is, first of all, to know what those books are, and the order in which they are arranged, and, in a general way, what each one is about.

Memorize Favorite Verses. Thoroughly memorize them, and often repeat them to ourselves, verses that we live on: sometimes when we are alone; or, in the night, to help put ourselves to sleep on the Everlasting Arms.
To run God’s thoughts through our mind often will make our mind grow like God’s mind; and, as our mind grows like God’s mind, our whole life will be transformed into His image. It is one of the very best spiritual helps we can have.

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