Day 1 - Finding Joy in the Bible
Reading Passage: Psalm 119:1-8
I showed up in the thickest glasses you’ve ever seen with my Bible in tow and she showed up every week to teach the Bible to her class of third grade girls.
“Today class, we are going to study the alive and active power of God’s Word!” My third grade mind had so many questions to ask that woman who gave her Wednesday nights to us girls.
Questions like:
“When will I learn and love to study the Bible on my own and understand like you?”
“Can you tell me how God’s words are more alive in the pages of the Bible than in other books?”
My teacher was a gem and answered my questions with joy and confidence in what she already knew to be true of her Bible study over the years.
“How did God know how His creation would fall and need a Savior? And then how did His plans ALL WORK OUT in the whole Bible?”
“What makes the Bible so special, and how on earth do I know for sure that it is true?”
I still remember the day when she shared with our class that there was an unseen war that surrounds us where the enemy is on the prowl, searching for those who are weak in their understanding of the Word of God.
She taught us that when we memorize and read the Bible, that the words contain the power of God that we could use in times of fear, difficulty, weakness, sorrow, and celebration!
“When I speak the words of the Bible, does the enemy really flee - like REALLY?”
There was no way I wanted to be found weak and unsure in the hope I had as a daughter of God!
I loved the faith of my teacher and wanted to understand the Bible enough to trust God at His word - just like she did.
Do you have someone in your journey of knowing God who might be a few steps ahead of you in their understanding of the Bible and can help you navigate the truth that really is alive on the pages of Genesis through Revelation? The Chara Project team is here to share this journey with you friends!
Understanding can be found and joy is possible in our daily lives as we study God’s Word and get to know Him.
Our passage Psalm 119 is jam packed with truths of how we can find joy and delight in the Bible. Let’s read Psalm 119:1-8 and take note of how the psalmist speaks about how God’s Word shapes the reader.
How does God’s Word shape the reader?
The psalmist speaks with excitement:
“How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart,”
The psalmist continues to unfold His love for God’s Word and describes how knowing scripture draws him closer to God.
The psalmist speaks of his desire to obey and follow His Word and how it drives him to a point of praise to God.
God’s Word is the living, breathing words of God! During our time of reading and studying and praying, He draws us in and reveals His ALIVE truth to us (Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16)?
Did you know that the same JOY that the psalmist experienced as he spent time with God’s Word, can also be ours?
Setting aside moments to read and practice some of the study tips to gain a full understanding of the words written to us - will soak in and become the hope that we cling to.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read God’s Word brings about clarity and keeps our minds and hearts centered on what God is saying.
Based on our reading today in Psalm 119:1-8, how can we find joy in the Bible?
May we dive into this reading plan and learn some helpful and hopeful ways to understand the truth of the Bible!
God promises to meet us when we seek and get to know Him!
Written by: Jenny Howell