Day 76: Keep Reading
Read: Genesis 10:25-31
Something that is a real struggle for me is working out. Once about every three months, I decide it is time to start getting in shape again. I have been overweight most of my life, but have never been able to motivate myself to work out. Other than dancing and being a lifeguard when I was still in school, working out has never been a positive experience for me. I usually leave in pain and in a worse mood (so much for endorphins). So, I tend to avoid exercise at all costs.
I know that it is good for me, but I would rather sit at home binge-watching Netflix. This tends to be a very similar trend for me when it comes to reading the Bible as well. I love talking about the word of God, but the act of actually reading it always sounds like such a chore.
It’s especially a chore when it comes to reading what I like to deem “The Boring Parts.” The entire book of Leviticus comes to mind. But, I know that reading scripture is something that is good for me. God chose each word very specifically, knowing that it would be something we need to live for Him. God is not random in His choices, but very particular in how He has revealed Himself to us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Every word in the Bible can be used for us to grow in our relationship with Him and become more like Christ.
This includes chapter 10 of Genesis, as well as the other passages of genealogy in the Bible. You may have read through this chapter and thought, “Why are we even trying to get anything out of these verses?” But, everything we read thus far has allowed us to grow closer to God. We can look at these men and know that God is faithful to every promise He makes.
God gives us everything we need to learn about Him and continue to grow as followers of Christ. Never ignore a passage because it is boring or hard to get through. The Lord can give you the strength to learn about Him and be encouraged through every passage. You may be challenged in your thinking, and learn that you need to do some research. But that allows you to use your God-given ability to think and ponder.
Ask yourself this week if you tend to skip parts of Scripture because it is hard or unfamiliar. Ask God to reveal to you why He included the passage in the Bible. Ask how you can worship Him better through reading scripture. And if you want to have help with it, a study bible is a great place to start, I highly recommend the ESV version.