Why study God's Word?

"The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130)

Good enough reason for me. I need understanding of what is true in this world with so much conflicting information and conflicting values.

Today, I also read about how the disciples labored in vain all night trying to catch fish. But when Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they obeyed, and caught a lot of fish. This story blessed me because I can see that on my own, I can do all that I know to do to be well and to do my duties. But if only I could hear Jesus and obey Him...then the fruit will come. It will be from obeying Him. It won't depend on how hard I work, or how smart I am. It will come from obeying Him.

So, that is why I study God's Word. It is one of the ways God talks to me. I can be reading along, and then all of the sudden, I hear a small voice saying something like, "pray for Zona" or whatever. Or I'll gain an insight like above which is God's answer to my heart's longing....to not be so simple minded, so I can serve Him in great ways the way my pastor and many people at my church do. His answer....He makes provision for the simple minded...He gives understanding through His Word. If I can hear Him, I can choose to obey Him, and I will be blessed.

I love His Word. Even when I first started reading and understood very little, I still was blessed by the huge amount of peace it brought me just reading it. My boyfriend back then blessed me with a Thompson's Chain Bible with a topical index so I was able to see what God said about various topics. That is very helpful.