I have never read through the Bible in a systematic way. Until now. Since January 1, I’ve been using the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan…and it works!
When you read bits and pieces of the Bible, it’s difficult to get a sense of the big picture. God seems angry, vengeful and impudent. What do all these separate stories, kings and kingdoms have to do with the Gospel? But there is something unique about reading the entire Bible. Everything begins to fit together into one cohesive whole.
What amazes me is the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. Evil rulers like Pharoah and Nebuchadnezzar and Pilate are mere pawns in his hands to accomplish His purposes throughout history. Evil spirits bow down to His sovereignty and obey His commands as when He used them to torment King Saul and to cause Judas to betray His beloved Son, Jesus. It was all under His control. Not a moment has gone by that evil has had free reign!
The other amazing thing that I see in this big picture is the love of God and the incredible lengths to which He goes to bring people to Himself.
The Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. (I Samuel 12:22)
Throughout history, God has literally moved heaven and earth to make a people for Himself, who will honor Him as Lord of all. He is utterly committed to this purpose.
In my therapy practice, I work with people who have been deeply damaged by wicked people. I see the devastating effects of being sinned against, and the deep holes we get ourselves into because of our own sin and determination to fix things our own way. It’s hard to understand why some of us have to experience so much darkness. I think the answer is in understanding what God’s bigger purpose is in our lives. How has He used this darkness to bring us to Him? How has He stripped away the wrong ideas we’ve had about our sovereign and loving God? Some of these questions won’t have answers in this lifetime.
Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33)
So what is the relevance to your life today? The relevance to you is that God is highly invested in you. He brings adversity; He uses sinful people; He has a bigger plan than you can likely see right now. He knows the most wonderful thing for you is to know Him and trust Him and walk with Him and know that He is God. And through this, He is pleased. Through this He is glorified.
To access the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan:
OR, check out the page on this blog site: Bible Reading Plan
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