read the bible

During the 1990s I spent three years in pastoral ministry with a church in the city of Nottingham. As part of pastoral visits I spent time with an elderly gentleman who recounted on one occasion the moment his father became a Christian. I recall him telling me that the Bible which, to that point, had occupied the top shelf of their bookcase was brought down by his father and became an integral part of his life from that moment on. 

Many centuries ago the Lord gave instructions through his servant Moses about the place God’s Law ought to have in the lives of the kings of Israel.

See Deuteronomy 17:18-20

The Law was to be an indispensable part of the king’s life. 

He was commanded to fully immerse himself in its teachings. 

He was urged to write it out meticulously and was to be accountable to the priests for its content. 

The Law would teach him what it meant to fear the Lord and would enable him to serve God’s people with humility and single-mindedness.

That ancient instruction has timely relevance for us today. The value we place upon the Bible and its teaching will go a very long way in determining the fruitfulness of our Christian life. 

Regarding the Law of God, the kings of Israel were commanded to:

➡️ Write It Out

During my primary school years I was given punishment exercises by a number of teachers. One of them was called ‘lines’. Because of bad behaviour in the class I would be sent home and asked to write out 50, sometimes 100 times, “I must not speak in class” (or a similar sentence)! The process of writing out the one sentence was intended to teach me the lesson that I needed to act differently in the future (it never seemed to have the desired effect!). Lines were a fairly ineffectual punishment. 

The king’s instruction to write out the law was an enormous privilege. “He shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law…” (verse 18). The process would undoubtedly deepen his understanding of God’s Word. It would lead him to a close and personal connection with God’s Law.

➡️ Keep It Close

“And it shall be with him…” (verse 19)

One of my favourite pursuits is hillwalking. And when I plan a day in the hills I make sure that my rucksack only has the essentials. For our walk with God in this world a crucial companion is a copy of God’s Word. 

We can carry a copy of the Bible with us wherever we go or use a Bible app on our phone. However, more importantly we ought to store God’s Word in our hearts. “I have stored up up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). During lockdown I started to write out various psalms on small cards and when I took our dog a walk in the morning I gradually memorised them. I would recommend that practice as it proved to be a great blessing in my Christian life.

➡️ Read It Daily

“…he shall read it all the days of his life…” (verse 19).

Just as food on a daily basis is necessary for the nourishment of our bodies so the day-to-day intake of God’s Word is vital for the sustenance of our souls.

➡️ Obey It Fully

“…that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law…” (verse 19).

This would have the effect of keeping the king humble (“his heart may not be lifted above his brothers”) and steadfast (“he may not turn aside from the commandment”)

The prayer of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer from 1542 has been an inspiration to me for many years now:

"Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; 

Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, 

that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, 

we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, 

which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Amen."

In the manner of the kings of Israel may we read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest God’s Word in the daily rhythms of life.

(picture - the grounds of Culzean Castle)