How often should I read the Bible?

Deuteronomy 17:18-19“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.”

This was God’s instruction for the future kings of Israel. Not only was he to write out his own copy of God’s commandments, but he was also to read it daily and reference it to benefit his own life and the life of the nation.

Joshua 1:8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Just as God told Joshua to carefully study his law, it will serve all God’s people well to read and meditate on the Bible regularly. If at all possible, we should try to do this daily. When we study and memorize Scripture, we find that God’s Word has been “uploaded” to our minds, where we can continue considering it even at night. We should not put off reading the Bible until whenever we “get around to it.”

Psalm 1:1-3Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

Most of us are surrounded by influences in the world that would lead us astray of God’s direction. Only by deliberately and continually returning to God’s Word do we find delight and guidance.