Before you say, “I don’t believe.” Chapter 22

Have you ever tried reading the Bible?

King George V said that “the English Bible is the first of our national treasures.” Yet because it is a big book – in fact the one volume is a collection of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament – it appears too daunting to attempt to read. In the Bible there is history, poetry, law, wisdom, prophecy and biography. Both the Old Testament, written before Jesus’ life, and the New Testament, focus on Jesus. The Old Testament, through pictures and prophecy, portray the Jesus who was yet to come. The New Testament tells us about Him, His life, work, teachings, death, resurrection, influence and power, and His return one day as Lord, King and Ruler on the earth.

French philosopher and novelist Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) said, “I must confess to you that the majesty of the Scriptures astonishes me’ and ‘How petty are the books of philosophers, with all their pomp, compared with the Gospels!” The four Gospels are a good place to begin reading the Bible. Let Jesus introduce Himself to you; discover Him not as the Jesus of the R.E. lesson or the television programme, but the real Jesus. His words and works are startling. If you feel able, ask God to speak to you through His word. Then read on in the New Testament discovering the truths which have changed individuals, nations and empires. When you open the pages of the Bible and read, it is as if you are opening the lips of God and allowing Him to speak to you. If you read in that way God will honour your open attitude and stir up faith in your mind and heart.