Reading is aimed at helping us to understand what the Lord God has written for us. To understand is to come to terms with knowledge, to grasp instruction, to fear threats, to be enthused by encouragements, to be edified by teaching, to be stopped by warnings, and to be relieved by consolations and comforts. When we understand, then we conduct ourselves accordingly.

They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
(Nehemiah 8:8)

We live in a time when most people don’t like reading. Many prefer listening, or even better, watching. Our digital age makes listening and watching so easy, but it also makes it almost impossible to read. There is a place for both listening and watching, but I believe our generation needs to be encouraged to read more. There is something about reading that must not escape our attention.

God expects us to read.

This is why He has given us His Word in written form. His law is written down in a book and we are told about people reading it. In the verse above, Nehemiah records that these Israelites read out loud for the people. They read what God had written, for they knew that these things were written down for our instruction (1 Cor. 10:11). The Bible is written to be read. It is given for our instruction and guidance in godliness and holy living. If we want to know what the will of God is, then we must go to the Bible. Throughout the Scriptures, we see people reading—the law, the statutes, letters, books, scrolls, or parchments.

Reading is an exercise of the mind that God has given us.

Reading requires interpretation. For this reason, it can be hard work. Note from Nehemiah 8 that the Book of the Law was read clearly, and the leaders explained to the people what it meant. We need to know what we have been reading. We have to make sense of it and interpret it correctly. The Bible contains arguments, reasons, illustrations, parables, poetry, stories, and descriptions that we can make sense of, and this often requires much study and diligence.

Reading is an exercise in dependence on God.

Reading requires hard work, but it also requires the Spirit’s assistance. We need the illumination of the Spirit to understand. Human senses fail to grasp what proceeds from the mouth and mind of God. Divine revelation needs divine intervention for understanding. We should call upon the Holy Spirit who gave it (2 Peter 1:21) to enable us to make sense of it. We should read prayerfully. The Holy Spirit illumines the Scriptures so that we reap spiritual benefits out of it. We should pray that the Lord would open our eyes, give understanding, and grant the right perception and response. In this way, reading encourages prayer, and prayer encourages reading.

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