In my life as a believer, reading God’s word has been, at times, very low on my priority list. I head to church, do a weekly Bible study, share in edifying conversations, but my daily Bible time suffers.

A personal struggle

This has probably been my biggest challenge in leading a disciplined Christian life: daily Bible reading. I’ll start trying to read everyday and make it a week before things get too busy again and it falls to the wayside. However, daily Scripture reading is vital and we must not forsake it.

“No Spiritual discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word. Nothing can substitute for it. There simply is no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of scripture.” ~Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

The benefits of daily Scripture reading

But I have learned, that when I’m in my daily reading, my life drastically changes. I find my thoughts focused on God much more and my responses become more godly. I find myself in prayer constantly, sharing my day with Him.

And finally in my life, daily Scripture reading has become a part of my morning routine. I’m not saying I don’t occasionally miss a day (of course I do!) but I am able to pick up the next day.

Currently I am reading through the whole Bible. I am reading 5 chapters a day (takes about 20 minutes) and I just finished reading the book of Job this morning. Tomorrow I start on Psalms.

Yes, it takes work. But we are called to follow Him and that means making a little sacrifice of our time.

“Ours is an undisciplined age. The old disciplines are breaking down…Above all, the discipline of divine grace is derided as legalism or is entirely unknown to a generation that is largely illiterate in the Scriptures. We need the rugged strength of Christian character that can come only from discipline.” ~V. Raymond Edman, Disciplines of Life. {Emphasis mine}

Daily Bible Reading is so vital to the life of the believer.

It makes your convictions stronger.
God’s sovereignty becomes so much clearer.
The Old Testament comes alive in ways it never has before.
You get to see the story of God’s people from creation until the early church.
God’s love and promises scream out from the text.
Jesus’ love for His people becomes crystal clear when you see the story of his life, death and resurrection illustrated from Genesis clear through Revelation.
Your commitment to follow Him in all ways solidifies.
You begin to see the big picture: God’s Kingdom Glorified!
It makes you want to shout and praise Him.

God’s glory is fully manifested within his words–within his Holy infallible Scripture breathed through men to us.

What’s your experience?

Are you struggling today with finding the time? Do you feel like there just simply isn’t enough time in the day? Do you have every good intention to read and when the time comes you simply don’t have time or are too tired to read?

Then I ask you today to challenge yourself! Bring this issue to God and earnestly seek to make this a daily commitment! Do you plan to do it each night and then find yourself falling into bed too tired? Then plan to do your reading first thing in the morning! Kick dear Hubby and have him hold you accountable. Do it with Hubby if you can! Read with your kids over breakfast.

“We fail in our duty to study God’s word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.” ~R.C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture.

Find the right time that works for you. And do it every day. After a while this will become habit and before you know it it won’t even be a struggle!

When do you find the time to read? What are your routines? Do you have any encouragement to share to those struggling to find the time?

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