Why read the Bible?

Because it’s message is true and timeless:

All men are like wild grass and all their glory is like it’s flower. The grass dies, it’s flower falls off, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25

The Words of the Lord are true and all His works are dependable. Psalm 33:4

Because it is God’s inspired Word:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults and giving instruction for right living. 2 Tim 3:16

You will do well by paying attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. For no prophetic message ever came just from the will of man, but men were carried along by the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God. 2 Peter 1:19-21

Because it shows the way to eternal life:

The holy Scriptures are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 2 Tim 3:15

We believe the witness that men give; the witness that God gives is much stronger. This is the witness: God has given us eternal life and this life in His Son. Whoever has the Son, has life. 1 John 5:9-12

God loved the world so much, that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life . For God did not send His Son into the world to be it’s Judge, but to be its Saviour. John 3:16-18

Because in it’s pages we find:

Forgiveness:

All the prophets spoke about Christ, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have his sins forgiven through the power of His Name. Acts 10:43

God’s love:

This is how God showed his love for us: He sent his only Son into the world, that we might have love through him. That is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and and sent His son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven 1 John 4:9-10

This is how we know what love is: Christ gave His life for us. 1 John 3:16

Peace:

I am listening to what the Lord is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways Psalm 85:5

Fill your minds with those things that are good. Put into practice what you learned and received from me, both from my words and from my deeds. And the God who gives us peace will be with you. Phill 4:8-9

A sure hope:

I write you this so that you may know that you have eternal life ; you that believe in the name of the Son of God - 1 John 5:13

Everything written in the Scriptures, was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement the scriptures give us. Rom 15:4

Purity:

How can a young man keep his life pure? By obeying Your commands. Psalm 119:9

Direction for life:

Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

Joy:

How happy are those who hear the word of god and obey it! Luke 11:28

Because Jesus said:

Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that God speaks. Matthew 4:4

I tell you the truth: whoever hear My words and believes in Him who sent Me, has eternal life. He will not be judged, but has already passed from death to life. John 5:24

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness. If you obey My teaching, you are really My disciples; you will know the truth and the truth will make you free. I tell you the truth: everyone who sins, is a slave of sin. If the Son makes you free, you will really be free. John 8:12-36

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away. Mark 13:31

Adding It All Up

There are 594 chapters before & after Psalm 118? Add the two together and you get 1188.

What is the verse at the very centre of the Bible? Psalm 118:8 - "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."

Are you in the centre of God's Word? The very centre of the Bible reminds us to trust in God, rather than trusting in ourselves or other people. The next time you consider making God the centre of your life, remind yourself to go to the centre of the Word.