I am reading through the Bible this year, 2011. It's not because I made a new year's resolution. In fact, I started several days after the start of the new year. I guess I'm not really sure why I started to do this again this year.
You see, I have done this before. It has always been a tough but important assignment. But this year I am trying a new reading system that involves two readings in the Old Testament and two readings in the New Testament. It began with Genesis 1, Ezra 1, Matthew 1 and Acts 1.
It has been a refreshing and rewarding approach.
As I have read about the beginnings of the world and of the church, and as I have witnessed the birth of the Savior and the return of the exiles to Jerusalem, I have been surprised at the broad and common themes seen in all four divergent texts. All have pointed to God's holiness and anger towards sin mixed with and so often overcome by His gracious mercy shown to a fallen people. I have seen the importance of obedience to God's will for people who lived thousands of years apart. I have marveled at the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, as He has purposefully reached into our world in so many significant ways.
It has helped me grasp the reality of our timeless God with greater clarity than ever before. And produced a heart full of overwhelmed gratitude that He has touched my life with His presence and mercy as well.
Thank you, God, for who You are and for what You have done. For Abraham, for Nehemiah, for Peter, for Paul.....and for me!
I'm looking forward to seeing more of God's Word revealed to me by His Spirit as this year continues.
