Is it important to read the scriptures?
Read the entire content of Psalm 119 before proceeding.
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path. (Psalm 119.97-104)
"Oh, how I love your law!" (Psalm 119.97) This attitude may seem unusual. You may not feel this way. Why would anyone love to read God's law so much? You may wish that you had this perspective.
The psalmist reads the scriptures a lot:
- "I rise before dawn and cry for help." (Psalm 119.147)
- "I meditate on it all day long." (Psalm 119.97)
- "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws." (Psalm 119.164)
- "In the night, LORD, I remember your name." (Psalm 119.55)
- "At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws." (Psalm 119.62)
- "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." (Psalm 119.148)
- "My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end." (Psalm 119.112)
- "I will always obey your law, for ever and ever." (Psalm 119.44)
God created the world and everything in it. He created you. God determines the purpose of all things. God determined your intended purpose.
God was kind enough to reveal his will in written form. These written words are called the scriptures.
God made it simple to fulfill his intended purpose. You must read and study his words. Then you will know how to obey him.
How can I become motivated to read the scriptures if I am not?
The scriptures will save your life. "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life." (Psalm 119.93)
Punishment waits those who ignore the scriptures. "Salvation is far from the wicked." (Psalm 119.155)
The scriptures bring peace. "Great peace have those who love your law." (Psalm 119.165)
The scriptures give you insight. "I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." (Psalm 119.99)
The scriptures will make you righteous. "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD." (Psalm 119.1)
You need help. "Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." (Psalm 119.24)
The scriptures protect you from shame. "I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame." (Psalm 119.31)
The scriptures are valuable. "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." (Psalm 119.72)
The scriptures are true. "All your words are true." (Psalm 119.160)
You must decide what you want. If you want to read the scriptures, you will. If you do not, you will not. Decide what you want. Then act accordingly.
Observe what is important to you. What do you talk about? What do you think about? What do you spend your money on? What do you spend your time on?
If you want it to be the scriptures, then you must change your priorities.
What type of changes should I make to read the scriptures regularly?
Talk about it with people who are close to you. Ask them to hold you accountable.
Find some people who love the scriptures. Get their help.
Read the scriptures with other people.
Pick a time of the day to read. Set aside the time regularly. Make sure that you have adequate time. Make sure that you are rested. Avoid times and places where you will be interrupted.
Do not expect to gain great understanding suddenly. Keep reading for many days, weeks, and years. Over time, you will gain understanding.
Stop claiming to know things that you do not know. Instead, let the scriptures teach you the truth.
What should I do if I do not believe the scriptures?
You should not follow the scriptures if they are not true. It would be absurd to obey something that you do not believe.
Hopefully, you will consider the possibility that the scriptures are true. Please read the material here and elsewhere. Keep an open mind.
You should only change your mind if the evidence is convincing.
Are you familiar with the scriptures enough to know whether they are true? Have you dismissed the scriptures because of apathy? Have you dismissed the scriptures because of what others have said? Have you dismissed the scriptures because of what others have done?
Make your judgement on the merits of the scriptures themselves.
Begin by reading the scriptures. Reconsider the merit of the scriptures. If the scriptures are true, then follow them diligently.
Please take the unit Quiz.