7. Read Scripture

He shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.
— Deut. 17:19

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
— 1 Thess. 5:27

Give attention to reading.
— 1 Tim. 4:13

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it.
— Rev. 1:3

As you read, you may say with the Psalmist, “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Ps. 119:18). We need the Spirit’s illumination if we are to understand and apply the Scripture (Eph. 1:17-20) since “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14).

When the Holy Spirit applies Scripture to our hearts, the Bible becomes “powerful” (Heb. 4:12) as an agency for healing (Ps. 107:20), for making us free (John 8:31-32), giving understanding (Ps. 119:130), producing faith (Rom. 10:17), bringing joy (Jer. 15:16; Ps. 119:162), restraining us from sin (Ps. 119:9,11), guiding us (Ps. 119:133), nourishing us (1 Pet. 2:2), sanctifying us (John 17:17), and transforming us into His likeness (2 Cor. 3:14-18). Remember that this is God Himself speaking to us. Interact with Him as you read.