If you have ever wondered how to get into a rhythm of studying the Bible with its seemingly voluminous and lengthy diatribes. Today I’m going to help you discover a method of study that will get you into and help you find comfort, wisdom, and encouragement in God’s word every day.
There are many times we are told in the Bible to study its message. To put God’s word in our hearts as the anchor for our souls. And to have the readiness to respond to Satan in temptation so that he can not deceive us.
Like Jesus we too want to be able to respond to temptation saying confidently “It is written.” Knowing that what we are resisting temptation with is actually Biblical.
Because no-one wants to end up like the men in Acts19:14-16 who when asked by the demon they were attempting to cast out saying “Paul I know and Jesus I know, but who are you?” They found out that they didn’t have the correct answer. And because of this “the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”
So it is very important that we know the word of God, as well as knowing Jesus for eternal life. Knowing the word helps us to both learn about Jesus and how to be led in the things He wants us to do. Always giving special attention to how we are saved and what actually happens when we are saved.
It is also through study and knowing God’s word that we avoid the trap of Satan where Paul says in 2Tim.2:25,26 “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil that points men to a different God, a different Jesus, and a different atonement.
But, for some the problem is in knowing how to go about finding a way to do regular Bible study. Especially when we are first starting to read the Bible. And that’s what I want to help you with today.
When I first started my life as a believer a brother shared with me the way to make sure I read at least something from God’s word every day. And I’m going to share this with you today.
He showed me that with 31 chapters in Proverbs there is one chapter for every day of the month. And also showed me that having 150 chapters of Psalms there are 5 for every day of the month. That’s 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb for every day of the month.
Dare I say this is more Bible reading than most who call themselves believers do in a week. So don’t get discouraged if at first it seems like a lot. Just set your sights on achieving these at first and make time for it.
The great thing about this kind of Bible reading is that Proverbs is written with an emphasis on wisdom and understanding. Pr.1 informs us of this saying the purpose of these is “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.”
And continues like this throughout the book. So studying in Proverbs will help us with some very important aspects of learning we all need to gain the knowledge about God and how He thinks.
Which in turn helps us know how we need to think so we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom.12:2.
In the Psalms we will find comfort and encouragement. Which helps us to know that God is with us no matter what. That He both fights for us, and protects us. And that when we trust in Him we have the assurance of Rom.8:28 that tells us, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
My personal favorite Psalm is Ps.15. Because in it we find who it is that God says will dwell in His holy hill. Who it is that will live with Him. These are both comforting and admonishing words. A comfort to me as I line my choices up accordingly. As I hope are all of you.
It is short and sweet and gets right to the point saying,
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”
I know that these are Old Testament. And we are in the New Covenant. But, I believe the comfort, encouragement, wisdom, and understanding that comes from these is transcendent.
Even though David who wrote Psalms, and Solomon who wrote Proverbs, were both natural men who could have no spiritual part in them because of the covenant they were in. And so could not relate spiritually with the circumstances they found themselves in that caused them to write these letters. They both experienced natural life as all men do.
Coming into situations that brought them to the end of themselves. So that they were faced with the choice of either trusting God for deliverance. Or trusting in the strength of their own arm.
And like us when they chose to trust in God and wait on Him, in His timing and His method of deliverance, He delivered them. Done this way so that they could never take credit for it themselves.
So if you’re having trouble getting into God’s word on a daily basis. And need a method that will get you to read God’s word every day. And can use some more Godly wisdom, understanding, encouragement, and comfort from the Lord. Take the time to read 1 Proverb and 5 Psalms that corresponds with the day of the month.
Adding to this regimen as your hunger for God’s word grows as continue to grow and seek God. Supplementing this reading with Paul’s writings as well as the rest of the apostles.
Next thing you know the whole Bible will begin to open itself up to you. So that your frame of reference grows that gives rise to greater understanding, commensurate to your time reading and studying it.
If you are saved then you have already studied and know that salvation comes by confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus. And believing in your heart that He has raised from the dead.
This is how we are born again. This is how we have the spirit created in us by God that Jesus spoke of in John3:1-8 that David and Solomon never had when they wrote Psalms and Proverbs.
They were surely moved by the Holy Spirit to write those words. But, they had no spiritual part in them that bore witness with God’s Spirit as Rom.8:16 says we do. A spirit that joined them to God as His children the way we who are saved are now.
If you will trust in Jesus and His resurrection you will have eternal life now. And immortality at the resurrection. You will be made a child of God and heir to His kingdom. And the study of God’s word, the Bible, to be approved of God will begin to have a very special place in your daily routine.
Do this… and I will see you there or in the air!
This message can also be heard at: https://rumble.com/v7i0cve-approved-of-god-that-means-you-are-studying-right-2tim.215.html?e9s=src_v1_upp_a
