Why is it so important to read the Bible every day?

Jeremiah 15:16“When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.”

God’s Word will shape your heart, mind, and soul. It will bring true joy and purpose to your life. It will help you avoid sin and its disastrous consequences. And it will inspire you to live a life that reflects God’s character and leaves a lasting spiritual legacy.

John 8:31-32Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

We can’t think or claim that we are genuine followers of Jesus if we neither know nor follow what he taught. The kind of freedom Jesus has in store for us is not available where his words are ignored.

John 12:50I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.

Jesus made it clear that his teaching is an echo of his Father’s words. The Father and the Son speak with one voice in Scripture. Through the Bible God tells us how to be set free forever from sin.

Acts 17:11The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Luke had high praise for the Bereans, who not only responded eagerly to Paul’s teaching but also compared it to the Scriptures they had. They studied and verified Paul’s message. Reading the Bible helps us, like the Bereans, recognize true and false teaching.

Deuteronomy 17:20This regular reading will prevent [the king] from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

Reading the Bible promotes humility. It will help you keep a right attitude toward God and others. Your regular engagement with God’s Word will even affect your children and future generations.

Psalm 19:9, 11The laws of the Lord . . . are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

Reading the Bible warns you about things that will harm you and provides good counsel for your problems. The rewards for honoring God and his Word may not always be tangible, but they will be eternal.

Psalm 119:9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

Reading the Bible can keep you pure. Regular input from the Bible has a cleansing effect on the heart and mind. This is uniquely important for young people, who are forming habits that will likely stay with them throughout the rest of their lives.

Psalm 119:24Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

When we apply God’s Word consistently and discover how well its truth guides us, our attitude toward God’s instructions increasingly becomes delight rather than resistance.

Proverbs 6:22When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

Reading the Bible provides good insight and direction for every aspect of life.

Psalm 119:43Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.

As he ponders all the ways in which God’s Word impacts his life, the psalmist considers what would happen if Scripture suddenly went missing. Realizing what despair would fill his life drives him to pray that God would leave his Word in place.

Psalm 119:50Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

Whether he is exhausted or discouraged, the psalmist knows he can find what he needs in God’s Word. We can discover these same benefits.

Psalm 119:52I meditate on your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me.

Humans are often tempted to ignore or discount the wisdom of the ages in favor of the latest ideas, but God’s Word stands the test of time. Reading the Bible gives us comfort and hope for the future. Those who rely solely on today’s perspectives end up repeating the errors that have always plagued people.