Reading the Bible: Judgement Versus Joy

God, I’m so tired. I don’t feel like reading Your Word today. Will you open my eyes to behold wonderful things about You as I read?

After praying, I flipped my Bible open to a familiar passage. My mind quieted. Eyes opening in wonder, pen sliding across the lines of my journal, I glimpsed God’s tender care in His words. His joy shone through the pages, captivating my thoughts. My pen could barely keep up.

God conveys His joy to us as we read His Word. Not guilt but joy. He doesn’t want us to feel shameful as we frantically grasp for the next manmade ideal. He wants us to look for Him as we read the Word. He wants to meet us in the ancient pages and radiate His joy into our lives.

What’s a helpful Bible reading mindset? It’s not X amount of chapters. The goal is joy. Soak in the presence of God. Feel your face warmed by his love.

As Adam McHugh says in The Listening Life, we never read the Bible alone. God is always there. Maybe our focus is not so much about having better Bible reading goals. Notice how God meets you in His Word. Linger in His presence and see the smile lines in His face as you read. Allow His joy to infuse your day with purpose and hope.

When shame seeps into the corners of our mind, can we reframe our rationale? Holding our Bible reading plans to the light of God’s truth frees us to find joy. Consider what God longs to share as we read His Word.

1. He shows us the path of life and showers us with eternal joy and pleasure in Him.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

2. He reveals His way of life and replenishes our joy as we look on His face.

Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

3. He shines His face on us and shows us His Word.

Psalm 119:135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Satisfied, I closed my worn journal and prepared for an abundant morning. Flecks of joy colored my day as I silently thanked God for revealing His beautiful, replenishing truth to me.

God, I’m still weary but thankful to see glimpses of Your joy-filled face as I read Your Word. I’m hopeful and expectant that You will show me Your abundant way of life. Thank You for giving me an outlook of joy as I learn more about You - one verse at a time.

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