How many times have you set down to read the Bible, but were simply confused by all the details? I can’t tell you how many times that has happened and still can happen to me. The task can be simply overwhelming at times, and I feel has resulted in many closed Bibles (or at least superficial readings of the Bible). And that reality–to me–is the greatest deception of the Enemy. If the Deceiver can get humans out of the Bible, then he can have his way with them.
“…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:2-3
What if there was a different way of approaching the Bible than we have been accustomed to or thought we should do? What if we took a step back and asked the questions, “What is God accomplishing in History…what is the storyline of the Bible?” What if there was a way to see the entire Bible connected in one unified methodical story? What if we sat down to read God’s holy Word and found that it ties together seamlessly? What if we got wrapped up in this story and couldn’t wait to open and read our Bibles everyday to find our hope?
Well, I believe that the Bible is not only a unified story of God’s love and redemption, but it is a master weaving of personalities and cultures that convey the only source of hope for mankind–their eternal destiny and life with God. I believe also that if we had the biblical storyline perspective of God’s Word, we would find that there are more diamonds to be mined than any lifetime would allow.
And this is why I’ve put together the chart above. It’s one simple attempt to communicate the biblical storyline. It’s a 50,000 foot view that serves to guide all the more detailed readings of the Bible. But there are no quick fixes…so how does one begin and continue?
The Key?
Simply reading and letting the foundation of your time in the Word continue to build upon itself. The Bible is a compilation of poetry, history, prophecy, and much more, and it takes time for the Bible story to sink in–which should be okay. The easy thing is to want to know every story and every detail all at once, but that’s just not practical or feasible.
So the key, then, is to just begin reading and continue reading with an eye for the biblical storyline of God’s love and redemption for mankind. Before you know know it, the Holy Spirit will have guided your life in ways you never imagined. You will know more about the character of God, the heart of God, and that will change your life and prepare you for the next.
The Application?
Try one of the following reading plans this year:
May the Lord guide you as you begin to seek Him through His Word…
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 27:4
There’s more to come on this topic, and so the best next step is to pick a reading plan (start reading), and keep the chart above as a reference for your reading time. In the meantime, check out the following PROJECT to guide you through the books of the Bible.
— December 30, 2016