As a long journey has a beginning, an end, places to rest and to be refreshed, so a Christian needs to know their path through life, and needs words of encouragement and warning. It is difficult to read the Bible straight through, like a novel. Though it is good to have read it all, the Bible is easier to read a small bit at a time, here a little, there a little.
Like a tapestry, the Bible has threads that weave in and out from one book to another, from Old Testament to New. These threads when understood and followed, give a picture of God's Great Plan.
God invites us to reason with Him, - Isa. 1:18, and as the Bereans searched the scriptures to see if "these things were so" - Acts 17:11, so it is good to seek our own understanding.
We don't yet understand all of the Bible, and it is not all easy to understand. Peter speaking of Paul's letters, describes some things which are hard to be understood - 2 Pet. 3:16. Careful study is needed.
Consider these two texts :
John 14:19: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me[ Jesus ] no more"
and
Revelation 1:7: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him[ Jesus ]"
How can Jesus be seen no more, and then be seen by every eye? There is no contradiction when we see that one text refers to natural eyes, and the other to our mental eyes of understanding.
By approaching the Bible with faith, humility, prayer and patience we are prepared for life's troubles.
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