Mornings start a lot earlier nowadays than they once did. A taste for a hot cup of strong coffee has been acquired in my latter years. I look forward to my 4:00am alarm titled “Soli Deo Gloria” on my phone. That latin phrase, the fifth of the five Solas of the Reformation, is translated “Glory to God Alone.” It has taken a journey through life marred with sin and polished with grace to teach me that our days belong not to us, but to the triune God of the Bible and we live our days for His glory alone.

How we begin each day is vitally important. I know that I am a different man if I do not start each day with a lengthy amount of time spent resting in God’s Word. A daily regimen of repetitive reading is what I favor most. Recently, my reading plan has been two chapters of Paul’s letter to the Romans every day for a week, then advancing two chapters the following week. Reading repetitively gives me a greater grasp on the context of the scripture which assists in interpreting the text correctly so that it is appropriately applied in my daily life. But what has transformed my time in God’s Word even greater is partnering with a fellow brother in Christ in my reading. Each morning we discuss the tough passages rejoicing together and marveling at revelations found only in Holy Scripture. Partnering with someone in reading through the Bible also promotes accountability. Our flesh is set against us and on the days that the extra 30 minutes of sleep would feel nice, being accountable to someone makes it hard to stay in bed and break the fellowship that we both look forward to.

The daily grind can be a real and daunting thing. The discouragement of knowing your wages will only go to keep the wolves at bay another week or two can make you ask yourself: whats the point? The point is that we are created for one chief purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. It is in Him that we find our ultimate, and eventual eternal, rest. Starting each day by reorienting ourselves to His will and aligning our purposes with His gives us the strength to make it through the mundane, the monotonous, the stressful, the heartache, the pain and the reality of living in a fallen creation. Not only do we need God’s strength, but we need to be reminded of the gospel. It is on the pages of Holy Scripture that we find the reality of our sin problem and the solution to it. Being reminded that, as sinners, we only deserve an eternity of misery and pain, but, as adopted sons of God, we will only receive an eternity of joy and grace is truly a message to rest in.

How often do you read your bible for 30 minutes or longer?

Is there someone you can partner with in reading daily?