I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
I think it might be fun to begin this week with a pop quiz of sorts: Who is it that makes the promise to teach and care for us? It is the Lord, of course, and He makes this promise in the Bible’s Old Testament book of Psalms. To look it up turn to Psalm 32, verse 8. It will be located near the center of your Bible.
If you continue to read a few lines further you will learn that His unfailing love surrounds those who trust in Him. How many times have you needed to hear this kind of assurance from God this week?
Uh-oh … no Bible? I bet you have one somewhere. Perhaps there is a copy in your bookcase. It is, after all, the best-selling book of all time. Even people who feel no real connection to God have a copy, for it is considered a masterpiece of literature. Perhaps you have one stored in the same location you keep your childhood treasures.
I am particularly fond of a giant Bible my husband received from his childhood church Sept. 26, 1966. Matt was nearly nine at the time and I can imagine him standing in front of the congregation to receive the gift, then lugging it back to his seat. Inside the line drawings, depicting events and lessons, are scary at best. And as I leaf through it I see not one sign it was ever used: no childish writing, bookmarks or dog-eared corners. This monster must have been completely unworkable for a young boy. It looks old and foreboding and dare we say, utterly boring.
Its untouched state also reflects a prevailing attitude that still holds true in many households today: The Bible is a sacred document to be stored with care. Wash those hands before you look at it and return it to where you found it after you’ve mindlessly perused some of the pages.
My grandmother kept a record of her family’s births, deaths and baptisms in the front portion of her Bible and this is an excellent source of quality information for our family. Handwritten Bible records can differ from official death and birth certificates. Such circumstances still prove interesting to family historians who wind their way through old family information.
I believe, however interesting and treasured old Bibles can be, that most of us need to revise our approach to our Bibles. We need to move beyond the “sacred, yes, but probably outdated for this modern age” mentality. Why? Because Bibles contain the words of a living God who speaks to issues and experiences that are common to all humans — no matter their race, cultural identity, or moment lived in history. So amazingly practical and perfectly applicable are God’s words that they are meant to be studied. They are meant to be hauled hither and yon, highlighted and dated and spattered with notations and personal observances.
Set aside that treasured old family Bible and purchase one meant to be used. Then ask that God’s spirit will speak mightily and clearly to your heart. You can be assured God will reveal His personality from the pages of the Bible. He will instruct and warn you of the pitfalls, lavishing love and hope upon you when you decide to quiet yourself and take the time to read. And listen.
First, ask God to build in you a fiery longing for His word. I recommend that you spend some time finding a Bible that fits your needs. The variety is enormous. Some Bibles are geared for study. The annotations and historical information included in these study Bibles will enrich your understanding. Some Bibles are formatted for children. These include inviting type, cool photos and drawings and explanations understandable to youngsters. A visit to any Bible bookstore will put you in immediate contact with employees who are familiar with the great variety from which you can choose.
Second, speak to that bookstore employee or ask friends who are regular Bible readers for study materials. The Life Journal I mentioned last week includes a daily Bible reading plan. If followed, you will read through the Bible once each year and through the New Testament twice.
There is so much more to say about Bible study I will continue next week. In the meantime, grab whatever Bible you have, turn to John 3:16, and listen to what God has to say to you today: “God so loved the world … (that means you!) ”
Freelance writer Joan Bay Klope’s e-mail address is
jbklope@hotmail.com
