Reading the Bible - Part 2 by Ps Michael Podhaczky

In the previous blog, it was asked if we find reading the Bible boring or hard work? It was also pointed out that over these next few blogs, we will look at a few reasons why this might be so. Then we would look at some possible things to experiment with that might help in the area.

Some say that the reason they struggle with reading the Bible and especially the Old Testament, is that it is a historical book that seems to be a task or obligation to read. I agree that at times reading the Bible can feel like a task, rather than something that we enjoy doing. A suggestion here is that, if we can shift our perspective just a little, it may help our reading. If we can see the Bible as a record of real stories about real people who lived real lives and not just dry history, it can help. I know I made this adjustment of my perspective years ago and the Bible came alive in a new way. The Bible is not merely history, but their stories.

For example, how has your day been, or your last week or month? You know your victories and flops, your highs and lows. We all have them, and so did the people in these real stories that have been recorded to help. Who is there in the story that you can associate with or relate to as you read about how they did life? Did they rely on God for their strength, or did they try to push through without God? I don’t know about you, but I know these struggles all too well.

For example, there was King David, who had a record of making mistakes and not obeying God and yet also at other times he did obey. Sarah got jealous of Hagar when she got pregnant with Abraham, her husband, after she suggested sleeping with her to have a child because she could not. But despite this she was a loving mother when her son was finally born. Peter, after he had such a great time with Jesus, went and said that he did not even know Him. Then he became a reliable leader in the early church. I could go on, but you get the point. James, in his letter, said that the Bible is like a mirror - it shows our heart, Jas 1:21-27. Why not look out for these real people, just like you, the next time you read the Bible?

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…