Learning to Love the Bible

Some years ago a friend challenged me to pray that I would learn to love the Bible more. I liked the Bible a lot. I admired the Bible immensely. I wanted to love it. But to be honest, a good Francine Rivers novel could send me reeling off into Excuseland. Sadly, when I prioritized reading that fascinated me, I revealed what fascinated me a bit less. And so I prayed, not with much faith, that God would stir my heart to love His Word. To really, truly love it.

photo from stock.xchng Yoshi Aka

While we were in the States on our one-year home assignment I was given the Beth Moore "Daniel" Bible study disks and an empty workbook. Upon our arrival back in Liberia I made the decision that I would do the entire study even though I would be doing it alone. To my surprise I found it absolutely riveting. Additionally, I found Beth's obvious love for the Bible truly inspirational. Here was someone who was "all woman" - I could hardly wait to see what she was going to be wearing - but was this Bible brainiac! I longed for that same enthusiasm.

In the months and years after completing the study I found my heart drawn to Daniel, but also to the other, lengthier, prophetic books of the Bible. I had always enjoyed the book of Revelation, but the big Old Testament books of prophecy like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel had seemed overwhelmingly confusing. After all, how could I possibly figure out which prophecies were fulfilled in the past and which remained unfulfilled? 

Two things happened at the same time to create a map through the maze. First, my husband bought me an iPod with the Bible downloaded into it. Unlike a tape or disk player, an iPod traveled with me. I could "read" Isaiah (or whatever) while doing the laundry, washing the dishes, making the bed, etc., etc., etc. Instead of it taking weeks to read, I was now able to listen to a big book of the Bible within a couple of days at the most. And then when I was done listening to the book I could go back and listen to the whole thing again and again and again. Not surprisingly, with that kind of repetition the fog began to lift a bit. 

Second, I discovered the wealth of information on the internet. It turned out that I was not the only one interested in end time events. There were articles on even the most obscure passages. True, some of the writers were "guessers" or even obviously unbiblical in what they were saying, but others relied heavily on the Scriptures to defend their positions. My interest in prophecy and the end times made the third of the Bible that deals with that become fresh and alive. 

Photo from stock.xchng Billy Alexander

It gradually dawned on me that God had answered my prayer. I loved the Bible. I really did. It was God's work in my life, and to Him I give all the glory. 

See Tell Me Someone is Praying for Us!

See How Loving the Bible Should Turn Us into Geography Buffs.

See Why "Casual Christianity" Misses the Point.