I mention that I once made a list of all the reasons I read my Bible every day. Some students at a Cru event last night asked for my list, so here you go!
50 Reasons to Read God’s Word
- Awakens and builds faith (Romans 10:17)
- Leads us to Jesus (1 John 5:13) “Thing things are written so that you may believe in the name of the son of God and that you may know you have eternal life.”
- Guides us (Psalm 119:105)
- Fills us with joy and gladness (Jeremiah 15:16)
- Arms us against Satan (Ephesians 6:17; Matthew 4:3-4)
- Prospers us (Psalm1:2-3)
- Strengthens us and comforts us (Psalm119:28) “Strengthen me according to word.”
- Trains and corrects us (2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
- Dwells in us to produce praise (Colossians 3:16) “Let the word of God dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
- Penetrates our deepest thoughts (Hebrews 4:12) to help you understand yourself.
- Keeps us from temptation (Psalm 119:11) “I have hidden you word in my heart so I might not sin again you.”
- Blesses us (Psalm 119:1-2)
- Shows us how to praise God (Psalm 119:7)
- Reveals to us the path of purity (Psalm 119:9)
- Causes us to rejoice (Psalm 119:14)
- Contains wonderful things for us to ponder (Psalm 119: 18)
- Is our refuge when others slander us (Psalm 119:23)
- Is part of where we put our hope (Psalm 119: 43)
- Gives us freedom (Psalm 119: 45)
- Won’t bring shame on us as we speak God’s word even to important people (Psalm 119: 46).
- Comforts us in suffering (Psalm 119: 50-52)
- Stays with us no matter where we go (Psalm 119: 54)
- We find friendship with others who delight in God’s word (Psalm 119:63)
- God’s word is more precious than riches (Psalm 119:72)
- Other’s rejoice when they see us as we put our hope in God’s word (Psalm 119: 74)
- God’s word is completely trustworthy (Psalm 119: 86).
- God’s word is His communication to us (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- God’s word is eternal (Psalm 119:89)
- God’s word guards our life (Psalm 119: 93)
- Makes us wiser than our teachers (Psalm 119: 99)
- Stands up to the test of time (Psalm 119: 140)
- We meditate on God’s word when we cannot sleep (Psalm 119: 148)
- Brings us peace and keeps us steady (Psalm 119: 165)
- Is our nourishment and life (Matthew 4:4 and John 6:63)
- Comes with great power and authority (Jeremiah 23:29)
- Reveals God’s character to us (Colossians / Hebrews)
- Renews our mind (Romans 12:1-2)
- Is our final authority (John 17:17)
- Allows us to receive the desires of our hearts (“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).
- Gives us courage and success (Joshua 1:8)
- Helps us discern false teachers / teaching (1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”)
- To spend time with the Lord (Proverbs 2:6-7)
- Because it points to Jesus (John 5:38-39)
- To have daily encouragement (Romans 15:4-5)
- Is our daily nourishment (1 Peter 2: 2-3)
- Creates better fellowship for us (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Is at work in our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:13) “And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
- To defend the faith (1 Peter 3:14-16).
- Aids our sanctification (John 17:17)
- Is what we tell the next generation (Psalm 78:3-4)