The Bible Is Precious!

This past week has been an inter­est­ing one. I am teach­ing an eight week New Testament sur­vey at Flatland. For the first week, we dis­cussed why study the New Testament. I had also been asked to sub­sti­tute teach a class on Wednesday night at Flatland and the topic was “Why should I read the Bible and How?” Both really spoke to me, remind­ing me once again how impor­tant it is to read the Bible. But maybe more impor­tantly, how pre­cious the Bible is.

Now, this is not to say I have neglected to read my Bible. I am in it con­tin­u­ally. But it is one thing to read the Bible, even study it intensely, and another to con­sider what you have read as some­thing to trea­sure and live out. We can approach the Bible with clin­i­cal eyes, study every jot and tit­tle, and still not have it impact our lives.

The Bible is God speak­ing to us. Paul tells Timothy that “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16 — NIV). Some Bible ver­sions trans­late this “inspired by God.” This to me, while a reli­able trans­la­tion, does not impart the full mean­ing of what Paul was say­ing. “God-breathed” is a very lit­eral trans­la­tion of the Greek and really speaks to me that God didn’t just turn on a light bulb in the Biblical writ­ers head, i.e., inspired them to be cre­ative. Rather, Scripture is what God wanted writ­ten. God’s breath is all over the Scripture (2 Peter 1:20–21 [show]2 Peter 1:20–21 [20]knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own inter­pre­ta­tion. [21]For no prophecy was ever pro­duced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were car­ried along by the Holy Spirit. (ESV)
).

As such, read­ing the Bible is to touch God. It is lis­ten­ing to God, sit­ting at His feet to learn, be con­victed, to be strength­ened, to be equipped to do God’s work (see 2 Tim 3:16–17 [show]2 Timothy 3:16–17 [16]All Scripture is breathed out by God and prof­itable for teach­ing, for reproof, for cor­rec­tion, and for train­ing in right­eous­ness, [17]that the man of God may be com­pe­tent, equipped for every good work. (ESV)
). Reading the Bible should be trea­sured, desired greatly, and con­sid­ered vital in our lives, as vital as eat­ing and drink­ing is.

Now, when I said the Bible is pre­cious, I wasn’t talk­ing about the phys­i­cal paper and ink. I remem­ber when I was a kid, to put the Bible on the floor was ver­boten. I made the mis­take once of tak­ing the phrase, “stand on God’s Word” lit­er­ally and stood on my Bible. I got into sooo much trou­ble. The con­cept was that the Bible was holy and should be treated with respect. Not a bad thing per se but it could obscure the real truth. What God says to us in the Bible is what is pre­cious, holy, and to be treated with respect. The phys­i­cal paper and ink hold no holi­ness. Carrying around a Bible as a mag­i­cal tal­is­man is not effec­tual. But when we read God’s Word and let it breath on us and change us, it truly is powerful.

God’s Word is pre­cious. The psalmist got it right when he said, “I have hid­den your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NLT). Psalm 119 [show]Psalm 119 Blessed are those whose way is blame­less, who walk in the law of the LORD! [2]Blessed are those who keep his tes­ti­monies, who seek him with their whole heart, [3]who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! [4]You have com­manded your pre­cepts to be kept dili­gently. [5]Oh that my ways may be stead­fast in keep­ing your statutes! [6]Then I shall not be put to shame, hav­ing my eyes fixed on all your com­mand­ments. [7]I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your right­eous rules. [8]I will keep your statutes; do not utterly for­sake me! [9]How can a young man keep his way pure? By guard­ing it accord­ing to your word. [10]With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wan­der from your com­mand­ments! [11]I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. [12]Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! [13]With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. [14]In the way of your tes­ti­monies I delight as much as in all riches. [15]I will med­i­tate on your pre­cepts and fix my eyes on your ways. [16]I will delight in your statutes; I will not for­get your word. [17]Deal boun­ti­fully with your ser­vant, that I may live and keep your word. [18]Open my eyes, that I may behold won­drous things out of your law. [19]I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your com­mand­ments from me! [20]My soul is con­sumed with long­ing for your rules at all times. [21]You rebuke the inso­lent, accursed ones, who wan­der from your com­mand­ments. [22]Take away from me scorn and con­tempt, for I have kept your tes­ti­monies. [23]Even though princes sit plot­ting against me, your ser­vant will med­i­tate on your statutes. [24]Your tes­ti­monies are my delight; they are my coun­selors. [25]My soul clings to the dust; give me life accord­ing to your word! [26]When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! [27]Make me under­stand the way of your pre­cepts, and I will med­i­tate on your won­drous works. [28]My soul melts away for sor­row; strengthen me accord­ing to your word! [29]Put false ways far from me and gra­ciously teach me your law! [30]I have cho­sen the way of faith­ful­ness; I set your rules before me. [31]I cling to your tes­ti­monies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame! [32]I will run in the way of your com­mand­ments when you enlarge my heart! [33]Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. [34]Give me under­stand­ing, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. [35]Lead me in the path of your com­mand­ments, for I delight in it. [36]Incline my heart to your tes­ti­monies, and not to self­ish gain! [37]Turn my eyes from look­ing at worth­less things; and give me life in your ways. [38]Confirm to your ser­vant your promise, that you may be feared. [39]Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. [40]Behold, I long for your pre­cepts; in your right­eous­ness give me life! [41]Let your stead­fast love come to me, O LORD, your sal­va­tion accord­ing to your promise; [42]then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. [43]And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. [44]I will keep your law con­tin­u­ally, for­ever and ever, [45]and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your pre­cepts. [46]I will also speak of your tes­ti­monies before kings and shall not be put to shame, [47]for I find my delight in your com­mand­ments, which I love. [48]I will lift up my hands toward your com­mand­ments, which I love, and I will med­i­tate on your statutes. [49]Remember your word to your ser­vant, in which you have made me hope. [50]This is my com­fort in my afflic­tion, that your promise gives me life. [51]The inso­lent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. [52]When I think of your rules from of old, I take com­fort, O LORD. [53]Hot indig­na­tion seizes me because of the wicked, who for­sake your law. [54]Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourn­ing. [55]I remem­ber your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law. [56]This bless­ing has fallen to me, that I have kept your pre­cepts. [57]The LORD is my por­tion; I promise to keep your words. [58]I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gra­cious to me accord­ing to your promise. [59]When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your tes­ti­monies; [60]I has­ten and do not delay to keep your com­mand­ments. [61]Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not for­get your law. [62]At mid­night I rise to praise you, because of your right­eous rules. [63]I am a com­pan­ion of all who fear you, of those who keep your pre­cepts. [64]The earth, O LORD, is full of your stead­fast love; teach me your statutes! [65]You have dealt well with your ser­vant, O LORD, accord­ing to your word. [66]Teach me good judg­ment and knowl­edge, for I believe in your com­mand­ments. [67]Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. [68]You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. [69]The inso­lent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your pre­cepts; [70]their heart is unfeel­ing like fat, but I delight in your law. [71]It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. [72]The law of your mouth is bet­ter to me than thou­sands of gold and sil­ver pieces. [73]Your hands have made and fash­ioned me; give me under­stand­ing that I may learn your com­mand­ments. [74]Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. [75]I know, O LORD, that your rules are right­eous, and that in faith­ful­ness you have afflicted me. [76]Let your stead­fast love com­fort me accord­ing to your promise to your ser­vant. [77]Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. [78]Let the inso­lent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with false­hood; as for me, I will med­i­tate on your pre­cepts. [79]Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your tes­ti­monies. [80]May my heart be blame­less in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! [81]My soul longs for your sal­va­tion; I hope in your word. [82]My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you com­fort me?“ [83]For I have become like a wine­skin in the smoke, yet I have not for­got­ten your statutes. [84]How long must your ser­vant endure? When will you judge those who per­se­cute me? [85]The inso­lent have dug pit­falls for me; they do not live accord­ing to your law. [86]All your com­mand­ments are sure; they per­se­cute me with false­hood; help me! [87]They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not for­saken your pre­cepts. [88]In your stead­fast love give me life, that I may keep the tes­ti­monies of your mouth. [89]Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heav­ens. [90]Your faith­ful­ness endures to all gen­er­a­tions; you have estab­lished the earth, and it stands fast. [91]By your appoint­ment they stand this day, for all things are your ser­vants. [92]If your law had not been my delight, I would have per­ished in my afflic­tion. [93]I will never for­get your pre­cepts, for by them you have given me life. [94]I am yours; save me, for I have sought your pre­cepts. [95]The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I con­sider your tes­ti­monies. [96]I have seen a limit to all per­fec­tion, but your com­mand­ment is exceed­ingly broad. [97]Oh how I love your law! It is my med­i­ta­tion all the day. [98]Your com­mand­ment makes me wiser than my ene­mies, for it is ever with me. [99]I have more under­stand­ing than all my teach­ers, for your tes­ti­monies are my med­i­ta­tion. [100]I under­stand more than the aged, for I keep your pre­cepts. [101]I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. [102]I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. [103]How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! [104]Through your pre­cepts I get under­stand­ing; there­fore I hate every false way. [105]Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [106]I have sworn an oath and con­firmed it, to keep your right­eous rules. [107]I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, accord­ing to your word! [108]Accept my freewill offer­ings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. [109]I hold my life in my hand con­tin­u­ally, but I do not for­get your law. [110]The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your pre­cepts. [111]Your tes­ti­monies are my her­itage for­ever, for they are the joy of my heart. [112]I incline my heart to per­form your statutes for­ever, to the end. [113]I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. [114]You are my hid­ing place and my shield; I hope in your word. [115]Depart from me, you evil­do­ers, that I may keep the com­mand­ments of my God. [116]Uphold me accord­ing to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! [117]Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes con­tin­u­ally! [118]You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cun­ning is in vain. [119]All the wicked of the earth you dis­card like dross, there­fore I love your tes­ti­monies. [120]My flesh trem­bles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judg­ments. [121]I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppres­sors. [122]Give your ser­vant a pledge of good; let not the inso­lent oppress me. [123]My eyes long for your sal­va­tion and for the ful­fill­ment of your right­eous promise. [124]Deal with your ser­vant accord­ing to your stead­fast love, and teach me your statutes. [125]I am your ser­vant; give me under­stand­ing, that I may know your tes­ti­monies! [126]It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been bro­ken. [127]Therefore I love your com­mand­ments above gold, above fine gold. [128]Therefore I con­sider all your pre­cepts to be right; I hate every false way. [129]Your tes­ti­monies are won­der­ful; there­fore my soul keeps them. [130]The unfold­ing of your words gives light; it imparts under­stand­ing to the sim­ple. [131]I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your com­mand­ments. [132]Turn to me and be gra­cious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. [133]Keep steady my steps accord­ing to your promise, and let no iniq­uity get domin­ion over me. [134]Redeem me from man’s oppres­sion, that I may keep your pre­cepts. [135]Make your face shine upon your ser­vant, and teach me your statutes. [136]My eyes shed streams of tears, because peo­ple do not keep your law. [137]Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules. [138]You have appointed your tes­ti­monies in right­eous­ness and in all faith­ful­ness. [139]My zeal con­sumes me, because my foes for­get your words. [140]Your promise is well tried, and your ser­vant loves it. [141]I am small and despised, yet I do not for­get your pre­cepts. [142]Your right­eous­ness is right­eous for­ever, and your law is true. [143]Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your com­mand­ments are my delight. [144]Your tes­ti­monies are right­eous for­ever; give me under­stand­ing that I may live. [145]With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes. [146]I call to you; save me, that I may observe your tes­ti­monies. [147]I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. [148]My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may med­i­tate on your promise. [149]Hear my voice accord­ing to your stead­fast love; O LORD, accord­ing to your jus­tice give me life. [150]They draw near who per­se­cute me with evil pur­pose; they are far from your law. [151]But you are near, O LORD, and all your com­mand­ments are true. [152]Long have I known from your tes­ti­monies that you have founded them for­ever. [153]Look on my afflic­tion and deliver me, for I do not for­get your law. [154]Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life accord­ing to your promise! [155]Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. [156]Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life accord­ing to your rules. [157]Many are my per­se­cu­tors and my adver­saries, but I do not swerve from your tes­ti­monies. [158]I look at the faith­less with dis­gust, because they do not keep your com­mands. [159]Consider how I love your pre­cepts! Give me life accord­ing to your stead­fast love. [160]The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your right­eous rules endures for­ever. [161]Princes per­se­cute me with­out cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. [162]I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. [163]I hate and abhor false­hood, but I love your law. [164]Seven times a day I praise you for your right­eous rules. [165]Great peace have those who love your law; noth­ing can make them stum­ble. [166]I hope for your sal­va­tion, O LORD, and I do your com­mand­ments. [167]My soul keeps your tes­ti­monies; I love them exceed­ingly. [168]I keep your pre­cepts and tes­ti­monies, for all my ways are before you. [169]Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me under­stand­ing accord­ing to your word! [170]Let my plea come before you; deliver me accord­ing to your word. [171]My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. [172]My tongue will sing of your word, for all your com­mand­ments are right. [173]Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have cho­sen your pre­cepts. [174]I long for your sal­va­tion, O LORD, and your law is my delight. [175]Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. [176]I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your ser­vant, for I do not for­get your com­mand­ments.
is all about how won­der­ful God’s Word is, how it impacts our lives, and how by study­ing God’s Word and liv­ing by it we will live lives holy and accept­able to God. Not that our sal­va­tion is ever depen­dent upon what we do, for that comes solely by faith and even that is from God. Rather, it helps us build a close rela­tion­ship with God so that we can walk daily with Him with­out shame or fear. God’s Word is pre­cious because it helps strengthen our rela­tion­ship with God.

There are many “How tos” for read­ing the Bible. Mine is rather simple.

1. Find a good trans­la­tion that is easy for you to read.
2. Make read­ing a daily habit.
3. Don’t feel any pres­sure as if it is a duty. It should become a great desire.

The New Internation Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), Contemporary English Version (CEV) are all good trans­la­tions as well as many oth­ers. You will note that when you click the “show” link after a scrip­ture ref­er­ence on this blog, it uses the English Standard Version (ESV), another good trans­la­tion. The ESV peo­ple pro­vide a great ser­vice to allow for this fea­ture! Click on the Scripture ref­er­ence link itself and it takes you to biblegateway.com to dis­play the NIV version.

The NIV and ESV are suited bet­ter for study (and the New American Standard Bible, NASB, is by some con­sid­ered to be the gold stan­dard for Bible study). The NLT and CEV are eas­ier to read — the CEV was orig­i­nally writ­ten for chil­dren. The dif­fer­ences between trans­la­tions comes down to a word for word trans­la­tion (lit­eral equiv­a­lent) ver­sus a thought for thought trans­la­tion (dynamic equiv­a­lent). The ESV sits solidly in the word for word camp although they strive to be as read­able as pos­si­ble. The NIV sits more in the mid­dle, lean­ing towards a word for word trans­la­tion, still have read­abil­ity but not as read­able as a pure thought for thought trans­la­tion such as the CEV or NLT.

I per­son­ally really like the NLT for read­abil­ity, espe­cially for devo­tional read­ing. I still use the NIV and NASB pri­mar­ily for study. I have been intrigued by a new trans­la­tion called the International Standard Version that isn’t quite done but another attempt at being some­where in the mid­dle of the word for word ver­sus thought for thought camps. The whole New Testament and most of the Old are avail­able as free down­loads from their web­site.

Quite frankly, it doesn’t really mat­ter too much which ver­sion you use as long as you read it and allow God to impact your life. Even still, it is good to have mul­ti­ple ver­sions to pre­vent any one version’s the­o­log­i­cal bias to over­whelm God’s bias — and yes, they all have their bias, some less than oth­ers. The thought for thought ver­sions will have more bias than the lit­eral trans­la­tions, which is why some object stren­u­ously to them. BUT again I say, find one that you are com­fort­able with and will read on a reg­u­lar basis. Then read it.

Be sure to set aside time — make it a reg­u­larly sched­uled event — where you can get alone and read with­out too many dis­trac­tions (turn off that cell phone ) Part of this time is for read­ing, part of it is to med­i­tate on it allow­ing God to speak to you, and part of it needs to be for prayer.

Do not feel pres­sure to read too much or for too long. It is bet­ter to read only a lit­tle each day than to read a lot one day and give up. I was raised and still feel that read­ing the Bible through each year is extremely ben­e­fi­cial. I have a “Read the Bible through in a year plan” linked to in the menus of this blog which can guide you. But for some, that can be too much. Maybe for you, plan­ning on just to read the Gospels in a year will be a great goal. As long as you take time daily to read, allow God to speak to you and you speak to Him, that is what is important.

I also rec­om­mend that you sup­ple­ment your read­ing by using some of the newer tech tools out there such as the Bible on mp3 or CDs. You can lis­ten to God’s Word as you drive, work out, or fold clothes. There is now even a pod­cast at podbible.org that plays the Bible through in a year using the CEV. It is not a pro­fes­sional read­ing, it is read by nor­mal peo­ple and their mis­takes are there for us to hear — also, it is from down under so have an accent to us Americans. Even still, it is won­der­ful for such a ser­vice be avail­able to us. For some of us, the Bible really becomes alive as we hear it.