Read the Bible All Year

Having wrapped up the 2014 Bible Reading Program and started a new one for 2015, the author reflects on lessons she learned from the 2014 program.

We have completed another year of the Bible Reading Program, and this blog will share some of my observations and lessons from reading through the Bible during 2014. Each year I learn new lessons from reading the Bible cover to cover. You can read my reflections on the 2013 Bible Reading Program here: “Read the Bible in a Year.”

Last year

Our 2014 Bible Reading Program simultaneously proceeded through the Old and New Testaments with a slight change in order of the books throughout the year.

One of many “aha” moments from this year’s reading came when I finished Job and began Psalms. I was intrigued by the similarities and differences between two men of God: Job and David.

God’s perspective on these two

Here is how God referred to Job when Satan appeared before Him: “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause’” (Job 2:3).

In Acts 13:22 God said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”

Two servants of God 

Job was, from all indications, a very sincere, committed servant of God. It seems his life, prior to the events in the book, was very blessed and free of severe trials. Job had a large family, much livestock and property. He was settled in one area and became well established there with his business and friends.

On the other hand, David’s relationship with God was nourished amid a myriad of trials as a shepherd, a military leader, a fugitive and finally a king. His life story is a running account of struggles and conquests that took him to many different areas and forged his character.

Their angst

As you read through the book of Job and follow the severe trials God allowed him to experience, you understand why he could become so depressed that he even hoped for death (Job 3:1-3, 11). Even his friends condemned him (Job 32:3)!

David consistently trumpeted the benefits and blessings of walking the narrow path. And as you read through Psalms and encounter David’s thoughts about his own trials, you realize how deeply David knew God.

In Psalm 8 David showed how deeply he understood God’s plan. In Psalm 13 you see that even David had times when he didn’t feel close to God. However, he knew God had not left him. In Psalm 39:8-13 David asked God to continually direct his life.

The conclusion

There’s good news when we reach the end of the book of Job. Job came to a vastly deeper understanding when God communicated directly to him (Job 38). Job had more children, and his livestock and property were restored 200 percent.

As we begin the Psalms, we are immediately submerged into David’s reflections and his prayers to God.

He begins in the first verse with, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

However, David had shed so much blood that God would not allow him to build His temple (1 Chronicles 22:7-8).

David continually battled his human nature and learned that the real battle lay inside of him. He faced this, repented and grew even closer to God. 

These are but a few of the things I noticed about these two servants of God whose lives and experiences are preserved for us. Both of these men knew that God cared about them and that they were part of His plan. They both demonstrated faithfulness, despite having completely different life experiences.

This year

I anxiously await the “aha” moment that will come with this year’s Bible reading plan. It takes a chronological look at the biblical events and characters. Let us begin!

Note: For those who use Olive Tree, a Bible study app for electronic devices, you may be interested to know that this particular plan is one of their Bible reading plans. The order and daily reading portion is automatically kept track of as you complete your reading. You just click on the completed button at the end of the daily reading; and the next time you open the app, you will start where you left off.