It Is Finished. What a beautiful sound.

We're Finished!!!

Jmk and I have finally completed reading the Bible from cover to cover. For the first time ever.

I know this may take some by surprise. A lot of y'all know our parents and our upbringing, and it would follow that we would have already read the Scriptures by now. And, we have certainly read them. Just not every word. And, it is something that we were neither proud of nor easily admitted. Despite having diligent parents, preachers, and teachers, we just had never done what we needed to do.

But, after starting a “Read the Bible in a Year” schedule, we are grateful to be able to say that we have read God’s Word, every word of it. It’s a cause for celebration!!!

We started this schedule around the 1^st of September last year. (wait for it……. There it is.) Despite our best intentions and efforts, it still took us a bit over a year. Katrina clean up contributed somewhat, but mostly, having a baby 2 ½ months after starting led to most of the delays. Like Jmk had to remind me many times, we weren’t in a race. We were just trying to finish.

And, OH, what a blessing it has been to complete this task!!!

Reading in this manner has a drawback in that in order to accomplish the day’s reading, one can’t always dwell on certain chapters or even verses that desire further meditation. However, being forced to push on through gets the words read.

And, the benefits have been so wonderful!

From my perspective (and maybe Jmk will post his thoughts later), I am acutely aware, more than ever, of how much I do NOT know about the Bible. Of how important true study of the Word is.

I’m so much more aware of how great of a sinner I am. Salvation by Grace is the sweetest sound to such a sinner as I.

The Old Testament isn’t actually full of “begats”. And learning to read the language in the KJV isn’t impossible. It just takes some familiarity.

Most importantly, I think Jmk and I both now have a springboard to go back and start true study of the Scriptures. For me, starting with the Pauline writings, I had to plum give up on reading the notes in order to get finished. (There were notes on just about every verse!) So, I think he and I both are going to enjoy being able to go back and read slowly and methodically. Reading the notes. Reading the cross-references. Contemplating what we have read. Talking about what we’ve read. Without a schedule nagging us to hurry up. With prayer that the Lord will bless our efforts.

We both feel that by doing what we were supposed to do anyway, we have been brought closer to the One who asked this of us.

If any of this sounds like bragging, then please forgive me. That is the farthest thing from what I intend. My only reason for posting this is to encourage anyone who might be rowing the same boat we were in to try doing what we did. Hopefully, you’ve all read from Genesis to Revelation. But, in case you haven’t, believe me when I say that the effort you put forth will be so very blessed. And you will be thoroughly happy that you have done this good thing.

Here is a good link to help you get started:

BibleGateway's Bible In a Year

It’s not actually the one we used, but I think I like this one better anyway.

God’s Word is so full of the encouragement and guidance and admonition and comfort that we need on a daily basis. You will be so very glad you read it all.

Praise HIM! Who was, is, and forever more shall be!