Last week, my project to read the Bible cover to cover successfully came to an end, only it took a lot shorter than the planned five months. For completing this project, as it has been with several such projects I accomplished in the past, God rewarded me.
There are blessings for reading the Bible. When we count God’s Word as precious, cherishing it, taking time to read it, He rewards us with blessings many of which are spiritual and not physical - because the spiritual is greater than the natural. Revelation 1:3 says, "Blessed is he who reads . . ." Just that portion of that verse should encourage all of us to read our Bibles.
The Word of God is profitable for the life that now is and that which is to come. When a person takes the reading of God’s Word seriously, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper," (Psalms 1:3). That verse alone holds the answer to succeeding in this life, for all who want to prosper.
The kings of Israel were required by God to have their own copies of His Word for daily reading (Deuteronomy 17:18 - 20) because in doing so, their days would be prolonged. Joshua, an army commander, was to triumph in the battlefield by simply spending time in the Word. God had told him, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success," (Joshua 1:8).
You are a king, because you are part of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). And, you are in God’s army (2 Timothy 2:3, 4). In order for you to excel in rulership, and to have victory in all battles, you must do what was essential for the kings and for Joshua - read the Word of God. Never forget what John wrote: "Blessed is he who reads" (Revelation 1:3); reading the Bible guarantees success.
Last week, precisely on the day I finished reading the Bible back to back, God gave me a book on eschatology (the study of end times). It has been a while since I devoured a book like that - it was so wonderful, answering many of my questions regarding several end-times Scriptures. Just before I read the last few pages, I heard the Lord telling me, "This book is a reward from me to you, for having read the Bible cover to cover." A day later, another reward came - an awesome book by which I am getting greater insight concerning financial generosity. As some of you know, I am the Financial Prosperity President of Uganda; I am called by God to deliver people from lack and poverty by preaching the biblical essentials of prosperity. That being my job description, God taught me years ago that giving is the only way to break the back of poverty. So by Him availing the above mentioned book, He is making me a better and more effective Prosperity Preacher – and it is all because I read the Bible cover to cover.
Years ago, in dreams of the night, God revealed to me several blessings He gave me then, simply for reading the Bible cover to cover. However, time and space will not allow me to get into that.
For now, just remember: "Blessed is he who reads," Revelation 1:3.
God bless you.