It may come as a surprise to those who haven';t yet made Bible reading and study a key part of their lives, but there is a supernatural joy and peace that come from immersing ourselves in the Word of God through daily reading and study.

God';s written Word is a source of joy and peace, of inspiration and instruction. When we read, study, and meditate on the words and message of the Bible, we find a joy like no possession or relationship can give and a peace deeper than anything the world has to offer.

When you are down, try reading some of the words of praise and worship recorded in the Psalms. When you need wise direction, try looking through the Proverbs, which give us some of the most profound wisdom ever written. When you need inspiration, try looking at the stories of great men and women whose faith have made them heroes of the Bible. (Start with Hebrews 12 and work backwards.) And when you need peace and joy, focus on the numerous verses and passages in the Bible that give assurance of God';s love and compassion for those who call out to Him and ask for it.

When you do those things, when you make the words and messages contained in the Bible your source of comfort, you';ll receive every blessing and every bit of wisdom, direction, and peace God has for those who make His written Word a priority in their lives. It';s just that kind of book! And, as you will see in the next chapter, it';s also the kind of book you can take personally.