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Why Do Bible Reading Programs Fail?
by David Maxson
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in rich food. - Isaiah 55:2
Why do Bible reading programs fail? There are many causes, but one reason is we have not developed our desire for the Word. "How sweet are your words to my taste," wrote the psalmist, "sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103) If God's Words were as sweet as honey, we wouldn't have a problem.
Why are we not hungry? We may have too much junk-food in our diet. Our minds are full of worldly music, movies, reality shows, talk shows, game shows, Internet gossip, etc., and none of these things support or promote godliness.
These worldly distractions don't satisfy the longings of our hearts. Like Coco Puff cereal they are sugary and sweet but full of air. They are spiritual junk food for the soul. Our souls crave Jesus, and once we have "tasted that the Lord is good" we'll come back to Him again and again like a baby desiring milk.
This is an acquired taste, though, that doesn't come overnight. Worldly things are easily digested. They give immediate gratification. The spiritual feast Jesus offers doesn't work that way, it takes time to appreciate. It may be that we must simply force ourselves to deny ourselves the spiritual junk food and choose instead to eat from God's Word every day. We may not like it at first, but if our hearts are right the hunger for the Word will come.
Bible reading should not be a mere duty, another thing to check off on our daily "to do" list. It should be seen as a time to feast. It is our food. It is the water we drink, the air we breathe. It is our life.
"Many shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
O God, we have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Fill us and satisfy us this day with the milk of your Word!
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