Well, I finished. This morning, I finished reading the Bible in chronological order using Every Word: A Readers’s 90-day Guide to the Bible. It took me longer than 90 days since I began this reading plan back in April, but I did it. I’m so glad I did it.
And guess what? I cannot wait to do it again. I’m addicted. I always read the Psalms every morning and normally work through a book of the Bible, but never before in my life have I spent so much focused time reading God’s word (for at least an hour a day or more). I loved it so much. I loved all the emotions I felt while reading–the joy for God’s unfolding plan for Israel and ultimately us, the marvel over the miracles displayed, and the sadness over the years of wandering, the divided kingdom, and the Babylonian captivity. I could hardly handle the despair I felt while immersed in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. These books are not for the faint of heart. Then I remember the absolute burst of hope when I turned the page to Matthew and welcomed Jesus for the first time. And today, I felt urgency and fresh zeal for the gospel as I completed the very last words in Revelation:
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
As I look back on my journey living through the COVID-19 pandemic, through racial justice issues burning in my heart, and through the total upheaval of life as I knew it, I will say that one verse rang true in my heart as I read the entire Bible through this time. It’s Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. I supposed I realized afresh the power of God and the greatest gift given to us in the Holy Spirit who accomplishes all things. And I realized the power of nations or leaders or the efforts of any group cannot stand against the power of the Spirit of God at work. It was a great comfort to me in this season of life.
And now? Now that I have finished the chronological Bible, I know exactly what I’m going to do.
I will start again tomorrow.