Has Your Bible Read You Today?

We're often asked - and rightly so - "Have you read your Bible today?" But an even better question is this, "Has your Bible read YOU today?" In his new book on the parables of Jesus, Gerald Bilkes turns our thinking (and our Bible reading) around with these challenges:

"...many today are content to read the Bible in a way in which the Word of God is subject to them, rather than reading so they are subject to the Word. They study the Bible--so they think--but the Bible does not study them. They may even 'search the Scriptures,' but the Scriptures fail to search them."

Gerald M. Bilkes, Glory Veiled and Unveiled, Reformation Heritage Books

I once heard Dr. Bruce Ware suggest a simple prayer to pray before we begin our Bible reading, Lord, open Your Word to me and open me to Your Word. I think this is an appropriate way to begin allowing our Bibles to read us.



Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)