Finding Joy in the Bible Part I

[the Bible] and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Jeremiah the prophet found that to be true, “Your words were found and I ate them,[accepted them] and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).

According to the Guinness World Records, the Bible remains “the world’s best-selling and most widely distributed book.” According to recent estimates, more than 5 billion copies of the Bible were printed between 1815 and 1975.

If there are so many Bibles around, why aren’t there more happy people? I think I know the answer. Very few people actually read the Bible regularly. If the Bible could bring so much joy, why do so few read it? There may be many reasons, but I suspect that to many the Bible seems irrelevant to their everyday lives.

Let there be no mistake about it, the Bible is not intended to be a good-luck charm. Just having one around, or even running your eyes over its words, does not guarantee you good fortune. God gave us the Bible so we can understand it.

Do you read the Bible? Does it seem hard to understand? This week I want to show you what must happen before the Bible will make any real sense to you.

You see, the human race has a problem. We are all born self-centered, rather than God-centered. Our self-centered focus clouds our understanding of what God is trying to show us.

The truth is that “a natural man [someone who has not been made new by Christ] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

I was young when I gave my life to Christ, but I will never forget the way it changed my understanding of the Bible. Soon after I repented of my sin and embraced Jesus as my Savior, I began reading the Bible. I couldn’t believe how exciting that old dusty book had become to me. It really did become a joy. Paul put it this way, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Once we put our faith in Christ, God’s Word can give us the help we need in the struggles that we all face. Do you struggle with worry, fear, guilt, anger, or lust? Are you ever tempted to complain, be greedy, be prideful, cheat your boss, or indulge in self-pity?

All of those issues are addressed in the Bible. If we ever needed the Bible, it is needed today. The world we live in has no lasting answers to life’s questions. That’s why Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63).

James Martin Gray (1851–1935) was a well-known Bible scholar. He was one of the seven editors of the first Scofield Reference Bible in 1909. Gray also wrote 25 books and pamphlets, and a number of hymns, including Only a Sinner, Saved by Grace. When he was still a young Bible teacher, he took notice of a fellow teacher’s peaceful behavior and positive outlook on life.

One day Dr. Gray asked this man what helped him be so relaxed and happy. His friend replied, “It all started through reading Ephesians.” That reply surprised Dr. Gray because he had read the book of Ephesians many times. It hadn’t affected him the way it seemed to have affected his friend.

Then Mr. Gray’s friend explained further. “On one occasion, when I was on a short vacation, I took a pocket edition of Ephesians with me. Lying down one afternoon, I read all six chapters. My interest was so aroused that I read the entire epistle again. In fact, I did not finally lay it down until I had gone through it some 15 times. When I arose to go into the house, I was in possession of Ephesians; or better yet, it was in possession of me. I had the feeling that I had been lifted up to sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus—a feeling that was new to me.”

If you want to experience the joy that God’s Word can bring, then take up the same (or similar) challenge from Dr. Gray’s friend. Read Ephesians all the way through at least 15 times, and then let me know what effect it has had on you. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can email me at BethelChapelChurch@gmail.com.