SCRIPTURE TEXT:

Joshua 1:8
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Colossians 3:16
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

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1.) Formality. – We are such weak creatures that any regularly returning duty is apt to degenerate into a lifeless form.
The tendency of reading the Word by a fixed rule may, in some minds, be to create this skeleton religion.

This is to be the peculiar sin of the last days – “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Guard against this. Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls.

(2.) Self-righteousness. – Some, when they have devoted their set time to reading of the Word, and accomplished their prescribed portion, may be tempted to look at themselves with self-complacency. Many, I am persuaded, are living without any Divine work on their soul – unpardoned and unsanctified, and ready to perish – who spend their appointed times in secret and family devotion.

This is going to hell with a lie in their right hand.

(3.) Careless reading. – Few tremble at the Word of God. Few, in reading it, hear the voice of Jehovah, which is full of majesty.
Some, by having so large a portion, may be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna, saying – “Our soul loatheth this light bread;” and to read it in a slight and careless manner.
This would be fearfully provoking to God.
Take heed lest that word be true of you – “Ye said, also, Behold what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of Hosts.”

(4.) A yoke to heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden, grievous to be borne.

They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food.

If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter, and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God.

My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.”

~ Robert Murray McCheyne
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“Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.”
~ Jonathan Edwards

“Read the Bible with reverence; think every line you read God is speaking to you….Read the Word with affection. Get your hearts quickened with the Word; go to it to fetch fire. Luke 24.31. 𝐷𝑖𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑠. Labour that the Word may not only be a lamp to direct, but a fire to warm. Read the Scripture not only as an history, but as a love-letter sent to you from God, which may affect your hearts.”

— 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐴 𝐵𝑜𝑑𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 (1692), p. 18

“The Scriptures of God are my only foundation and substance in all matters of weight and importance.”
~ John Knox