Can One Book Really Change Your Life?

Yes! It can! One book can change a life forever!

I remember one time, I was visiting an outdoor Book Sale. Now, you have to know this truth about me – I am a sucker for books! Just ask my husband. I can (and often do!) spend hours in a bookstore. So, needless to say, I was immediately drawn to this book sale. I was ever so eager to check out what books they were offering. But, after a quick perusal of the books, I decided that this book sale was not for me.

As I turned to leave, a woman, a little older than myself, stopped me and said, “Are you not going to buy any of our books today?” I glanced up at her, smiled and graciously said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think so, not today.”

“Well, are you looking for something in particular? Maybe I can help you find something here that would interest you,” she replied, trying to encourage that second look around. I told her that I was in search of some Bibles. With that, her eyes got wide and her voice raised a few decibels. “What? You want a Bible! Whatever for? Bibles are so outdated and worthless. Who in their right mind would want one of those?” Okay, now I really know, I do not want to be at this book sale. I wasn’t up for a debate that day with this lady. So I smiled graciously, turned and walked away.

Later, I thought of a million different things that I could have said, and perhaps should have said. But, the experience did one thing for me. It solidified, in my own heart, what I think about the Bible. Yes, the Bible has been around for a very long time. There are many an old Bible laying around in peoples homes or in churches, just waiting to be read. The Bible has been written in many different languages so that people groups all over the world, through many generations, may read the Bible and learn of God. As to it being outdated, well, I would have to disagree with that one. I find, through reading the words within its pages, that the Bible is still very relevant and applicable for life today. There are many worthwhile things to read about within its pages.

And then, as to the Bible being worthless – I guess that depends upon the eye of the beholder. Personally, I do not find the Bible one bit worthless. Bibles are precious to me because God is precious to me! Because I have a personal relationship with God, I treasure each and every word that He has written within the pages of the Bible. Reading those words, to me, is like going on a journey of discovery, searching for something precious and finding rare gems of great worth. To me, the Bible is a priceless treasure. The greatest book ever written, in my opinion.

Even David, one of many writers of God’s words, thought the Bible was something special. David wrote often about the Word of God. One of my favorites, among those writings, is Psalms 19:7-9, where he describes the Bible (God’s Word). Here is what he says,

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. (NKJV)

The words – law, testimony, statues, commandment, fear, and judgements – are all synonyms for God’s law, the Bible. David describes the law as perfect, the testimony as sure, the statutes as right, the commandment as pure, the fear as clean and the judgements as true and righteous. Those are pretty descriptive words that David uses. How can anyone say that those things are not relevant for today? Do we not look for those things in life today? They were relevant in David’s time. And I certainly believe that they are relevant for my time now.

David not only describes God’s Word for us – he also shares his reaction to it. Have a read of verses 10-11.

“More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.”

God’s Word was valuable to David. A priceless treasure, for sure! To him, it was desired more than the finest, the purest of gold. It was the sweetest thing ever to enjoy. And to him, spending time to read and listen to the words of God, therein was great reward. Reward that awaits for you too. Reward from God, that is only given when you open the pages of your own Bible and begin to read.

And, I know, speaking from years of reading experience in the Bible, that God’s Word is worthy of a good read. It is relevant enough and it is powerful enough to make major changes in the life of any reader. I know because God’s Word has changed my life!

There is one more thing that I would really like for you to see from these Bible verses in Psalm 19. David shares nine things that God’s Word can do in the life of the one who reads it, who delights in it, who yearns to believe it, and who seeks to obey it. Nine wonderful ways that your life can change simply by reading the Bible. Are you ready? Here’s the list:

• God’s Word can redeem your soul – “converting the soul” (verse 7). This means that it can bring salvation to you. Through the Bible, a reader can learn of God’s gift of salvation, freely given to all who believe.
• God’s Word can renew your mind – “making wise the simple” (verse 7). Great wisdom, from an Almighty God, is found within the pages of the Bible.
• God’s Word can rejoice your heart – “rejoicing the heart” (verse 8). God’s Word brings JOY! And its the kind of joy that no one can take away from you.
• God’s Word can refocus your vision – “enlightening the eyes” (verse 8). God’s Word will change your focus on things. The more you read, the more clearly you will see the truth.
• God’s Word can refresh your life – “enduring forever” (verse 9). God’s Word is designed to bring new life into those who believe in God; a life that will endure forever with God in heaven.
• God’s Word can replace your doubts – “true and righteous altogether” (verse 9). When things that are true and righteous exist together, there is no room for doubts. The reading of God’s Word on a consistent basis removes our doubts. In its place, God instills trust; trust in Him.
• God’s Word can reorder your values – “more to be desired are they than gold” (verse 9). Who doesn’t want great riches in their life? As you spend more time in God’s Word, you begin to realize that you hold in your hands a worthless treasure. A treasure that is worth more than the purest gold that the world has to offer you.
• God’s Word can redirect your steps – “moreover by them Your servant is warned” (verse 11). God’s Word holds within its pages many a warning for those who want to follow after God. As we listen to those warnings, and take heed of them, then the pathway we walk becomes clearer. Sometimes God, through warning, will take us off one pathway and put us on a completely different path for life. That’s God redirecting our steps away from danger and pointing us towards that which is good.
• God’s Word rewards your obedience – “and in keeping them there is great reward” (verse 11). When we choose to read the Bible, listen to what God says in it; when we choose to meditate upon the very words of God and seek to obey them – then, God tells us there is “great reward” awaiting us. God rewards our obedience to His Word.

Wow! So, I have to ask again – – Can one book really change your life?

Ah, dear reader – the Bible, God’s Word, is the ONLY BOOK that will truly change your life. It has the power to totally transform your life. And yet, truth be told – you will never know just how much it can change your life until you pick up a copy of the Bible (in whatever language you need!) and begin to read. Try it, you just might enjoy a worthwhile read!