Does Daily Bible Reading Really Help?

Routines can bring comfort and peace to a busy life. Morning may begin with breakfast, daily hygiene habits, choosing clothes, marking off a to-do list, and other dedicated activities. An important part of beginning each day is going to God in prayer. When we start by sharing time with God and reading His Word, we can face whatever comes comforted by His peace. Does daily Bible reading really help? Yes.

God provided His Word through Scripture. Each verse in the Bible allows us to learn about God and His messages. Beginning the day by reading the Bible can help us journey through the known and the unknown. Perhaps there are medical appointments to be made, family decisions to be made, employment stresses, relationship struggles, or other situations that cause worry. Maybe there are joys to be shared, prayers answered, problems resolved. Either way, reading His Word can bring us closer to God.

There are different Bible reading plans for all ages. Some focus on specific verses in the Bible, and others make Scripture easy to understand. Guided plans for reading the Bible in a year are popular. Following a reading plan may work well for some people. Online and in-person Bible study groups encourage daily Bible reading. Study questions and reflection opportunities are usually included in these studies.

The ways to read and/or hear the Word of God are endless. Audiobooks enable people to hear the Bible read aloud and online plans keep track of verses read. Whether we read alone or in a group, daily Bible reading helps us stay close to God.

Have you heard people quote Scripture? You may have wondered how they remember the words. Some studies show that we need to hear or read something more than once to absorb the information.

What if there are passages in the Bible that we don’t understand? What if certain words or events are difficult to comprehend? What about the names that we have a hard time pronouncing? Should we stop reading when we have difficulty with a passage? No. Keep reading. Ask trusted clergy or someone knowledgeable about the Bible for assistance. Refer to a commentary or study Bible. Don’t give up. There are many lessons to be gleaned by knowing God’s Word.

Have you heard people say that the day begins on a positive note when they begin by reading the Bible? Is morning the only time to read and reflect on His message? No. Daily Bible reading can happen at any time of the day or night. The important part is creating a place and time to focus on Scripture.

Do you have a specific Bible that you use for daily reading? Do you carry a Bible to church or use the one in the pew during service? Are there notes written in your Bible? Perhaps you have highlighted sections for future reference or to recall a particular sermon.

Bibles are sometimes given as presents. Charitable groups often provide needed Bibles to the homeless or people in need. Bibles can bring light and love to broken hearts.

I recall numerous stories of Bibles that withstood storms, vehicle crashes, fires, and more. Each Bible is important because it is the Word of God.

Yes, daily Bible reading can help us develop a relationship with God. Have you read the Bible today?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).

In His Name,

Melissa Henderson