Why would I read the Bible? Its so old!

S. ~ for study in S.O.S. Why in the world would I suggest you study the Word of God? I mean, it is old, very old, which of course means it must be outdated, out-of-touch, and goodness only knows, it is almost impossible to understand in parts! May I just say ‘There is not another thing like it in all the world!’ The Bible is my favorite gift to give, if I know there might be even a hint of interest in it.

Truth be told, somewhere along the line, I developed a passion for books—not for how they look or feel or because I necessarily enjoy the act of reading itself. Admittedly, I love to touch and turn the pages, underline, highlight, date pages and write in the margins, but it is much more than that. In truth, I guess I really got passionate about books when I wanted to gain vital information to support what I was teaching from the Bible. Like when I wanted the historical evidence to defend the reliability of the Scriptures, when nay-sayers said, ‘The Bible was written by men, copied and recopied—how can you spend any time in it or put any stock in it?’ It was then the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls proved to be invaluable! Not to mention, there is ever-increasing archaeological evidence supporting various places and customs mentioned in Scripture, and prophetic passages written hundreds of years earlier and recorded in the Old Testament, then brought to life—particularly in Jesus—in the New Testament. I just had to be willing to invest the time to study and read.

Truly I love my books—certain of them I have read and reread. My favorite authors include Gordon MacDonald, Henri Nouwen, Dallas Willard, Lee Strobel, Mark Batterson, Philip Yancey, Jim Cymbala, and Anne Graham Lotz. (each of them for different reasons) But of all of the books that line my shelves (okay and closets), there is

only one that makes the claim that it is alive ~ the Bible.

The author of the book of Hebrews claimed, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”1 ‘Alive? Strange, but true.

Images flash in my memory of times I sought to comfort or encourage someone, and a tender verse came to mind. There are so many verses that have the ability to inspire, encourage and even breathe life into a worried, worn-out, or battle-weary friend, when nothing else comes close. At times, I have clung to words of God myself like they were a life raft, repeating them over and over in my mind to wring comfort from them. Paul wrote, ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’2 Don’t worry->pray, and then God’s peace comes. And it does! Times when it is unnatural, illogical to be at peace, yet because of the comfort of the Holy Spirit of God, there it is. 

Alive? Yes, because of its power, but also because we can hear or read a verse that we have read many times before, but just when we need it, or it has meaning for our lives, we see it again—and it takes on great significance. 

Last week at Bible study, I asked my friend Heidi to talk about her journey with God the past few years. She authentically shared how she had experienced an extended length of time, almost strangled by anxiety and worry—so much so that she was sick. And then she shared from memory her lifeline: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Proverbs 3.5-7

And then she added with a smile, ‘listen to the next verse: “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”3

So yes, it is worth the time to Study the Bible, so we’ll keep it up!

Christine (DiGiacomo)
www.pastorwoman.com for archives of Morning Briefings

1 – Hebrews 4.12, NLT

2 – Philippians 4.6-7, NLT

3 – Proverbs 3.5-8, NIV