Stop Reading the Bible for Answers—Start Reading the Bible this way

How to Read the Bible: Discovering God, Not Just Ourselves

Intro

Do you struggle with finding solutions or answers from God?
Do you pray about your problems but feel stuck?
Do you open the Bible looking only for promises about your life, your success, your problems—and walk away still unsatisfied?

If I asked you to name a few attributes of God—you’d maybe say “God is love, God is holy, God is good.” Just two or three.
But if I ask you, “What are your problems?”—you’ll probably give me a whole list.

Doesn’t this show how much more we focus on ourselves than on God?
When we read the Bible, many of us approach it selfishly: “What promise can I claim today? What verse speaks to my need?” But the Bible was not written to magnify us—it was written to reveal God.

Read the Bible to know God to find His true Nature. Shift your reading from finding promises to knowing God.

Do you carry uncertainties and anxiety, always feeling the pressure that everything depends on you and your choices—if you don’t do this, something bad would happen; if it's not perfect, everything would fall apart. But instead of being perfect you just need to walk with God and remember whatever happens in our lives comes from two possible reasons.

1. Sometimes it is directly from God—like when He sent the flood and the great fish for Jonah, who disobeyed His command (Jonah 1:17). God used it to bring Jonah back.

“…the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17

2. Other times, it is something God permits—like when He allowed Satan to afflict Job (Job 1:12).

“The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Even then, it was within God’s control, and He brought Job out stronger in the end.

Isn't this amazing and now you need to get yourself released from this unnecessary pressure. Whatever happens in our lives is under God’s control. God is Sovereign. These passages reflect that Nothing is outside His hand. Read the Bible not just for the promises God has for you, but to truly know who God is, and you will find peace. Knowing God’s character through His Word will calm your fears and teach you to rest in Him, rather than living in anxiety and worrying about your problems.

👉 When we shift our Bible reading from “my problems” to “His nature,” everything changes.

All we need to do is focus on God and not on problems, and so your problems will not pile up. Know that God is sovereign. He holds our lives in His hands. Our part is not to carry every matter ourselves, but to trust Him and rest in who He is.

Right now you might be the one providing for your family, and that can feel very stressful. Maybe your company is closing, and you are worried—‘Will I get another job? Will I be able to provide for my family?’ These thoughts steal your peace and even the joy of being with your loved ones. But remember this: you are not the provider, and your company is not the provider. God is your Provider.

The Bible says, ‘My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19).

Jesus also said, ‘Look at the birds. They don’t plant or store food, but your Father in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than birds?’ (Matthew 6:26).

If God takes care of birds, won’t He take care of you? This is why we should not read the Bible only for promises about our problems, but to know the God who provides and cares for us.” These verses reflect His very nature that He is the provider of every creature in this universe, even the birds that don’t plant or store food. So focus not on the problem or be consumed by its solution. Instead, put your effort and leave the rest to God.

👉 When we shift our Bible reading from “problems and solutions” to “His nature,” everything changes.

Sometimes we also stress too much about our homes and safety. We think, “If I don’t keep checking everything, if I don’t secure the house perfectly, something bad will happen.” But the Bible reminds us very clearly in Psalm 127:1 –

“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

This means no matter how much we try, true safety and protection come only from God. We should act wisely, yes, but not live in constant fear or pressure. God Himself is the ultimate Builder and Protector of our homes and families.

These verses speak out loud of God’s 2 attributes, which you cannot deny.

1. God is the Builder. You can't build a home with all your efforts if He does not build.

2. God is the Protector. If He does not protect you, your family or your home all the vigilance of guards is in vain.

You can understand this only when you know God. You can trust Him only when you know Him. So read the Bible to know God, His ways, and His nature. And you will be relaxed and lightheaded over your worries. Let God reveal Himself to you.

Why We Need to Read the Bible – To Know God

• John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
  Eternal life itself is defined by knowing God.

• Jeremiah 9:23–24 – “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me…”
  God says the greatest treasure is not wisdom, strength, or riches—but knowing Him.

• Hosea 6:6 – “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
  God values our knowledge of Him above religious ritual.

• Exodus 34:5–7 – When God reveals Himself to Moses, He proclaims His own nature: “Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, …...”
  This shows us: the Bible’s central goal is to reveal God’s character.

When you read the Bible – Ask the Right Question

Instead of asking: “What does this verse say about me?”
Ask: “What does this verse reveal about God?”

Examples:

• Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd.”
  👉 This isn’t just about us having peace—it reveals God as a Shepherd who guides and provides.

• Isaiah 40:28 – “The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary…”
  👉 God is powerful, tireless, and sovereign.

• John 11:25 – “I am the resurrection and the life.”
  👉 Not just about Lazarus—it shows Jesus has authority over life and death.

Practical Way to Read the Bible

Here’s a step-by-step method you can start using today:

Step 1: Pray for Revelation

Before reading, pray:
“Lord, open my eyes to see who You are in these verses.”

• Psalm 119:18 – “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Step 2: Look for God’s Nature in Each Verse

Ask:

• What is God doing here?

• What attribute of God is revealed?

• What does this passage show about His heart, His power, His character?

Examples:

• Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
  👉 His nature: Refuge. Strong. Always present.

• 1 John 4:8 – “God is love.”
  👉 His nature: Love is His essence.

Step 3: Write It Down

Keep a God-discovery journal:

• Verse: John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

• God’s Nature: Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life.

• What He Does: Leads us to the Father.

• My Praise: “Lord, You are my way when I feel lost.”

Step 4: Ask God to Explain the Truth

Pray over what you wrote:
“Lord, teach me what it means that You are faithful, and help me live in that truth.”

• James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously…”

Step 5: Praise Him for Who He Is

Turn Scripture into worship.

• If He shows Himself as merciful, say: “Lord, thank You for Your mercy.”

• If He shows Himself as holy, say: “Lord, I worship You as holy.”

• Psalm 145:3 – “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Step 6: Meditate on His Nature All Day

Carry one truth with you through the day.

• Example: If you read “God is light” (1 John 1:5), remind yourself: “Even in my confusion, God’s light guides me.”

• Joshua 1:8 – “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night…”

Step 7: Share With Others

Tell someone what you discovered.

• “Today I saw God is faithful—that gives me peace.”
  Sharing multiplies faith.

• Psalm 105:1 – “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”

Why This Changes Everything

• Your faith grows – because you know who God truly is.

• Your problems shrink – because His greatness overshadows them.

• Your prayers deepen – because you stop chasing blessings and start seeking His glory.

• Your relationship matures – you move from self-centered reading to God-centered worship.

Example: Reading Psalm 18 to Discover God’s Nature

When David was surrounded by enemies, his words weren’t just about his pain—they revealed God’s character. Let’s see:

• Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Solid, unshakable, protector, rescuer, safe refuge.

• Psalm 18:6 – “In my distress I called to the LORD… He heard my voice from his temple; my cry came before him, into his ears.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Attentive, responsive, close enough to hear our cries.

• Psalm 18:16–17 – “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy…”
  👉 God’s Nature: Rescuer, Deliverer, the One who pulls us out when we’re drowning.

• Psalm 18:28 – “You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Light-giver, life-sustainer, transformer of dark times.

• Psalm 18:30 – “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Perfect, flawless, trustworthy, protective.

• Psalm 18:32–33 – “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Strength-giver, stabilizer, lifter, the One who secures our paths.

• Psalm 18:47–48 – “He is the God who avenges me… who saves me from my enemies.”
  👉 God’s Nature: Defender, Justice-giver, Savior.

🔑 See how this works? Instead of just saying “I’m in trouble like David,” you look at who God is in David’s trouble.
Suddenly, the focus shifts from our struggles to God’s glory.

Closing Exhortation

So the next time you open your Bible, don’t rush to find a verse for your personal breakthrough.
Instead, seek God’s character. Ask Him to reveal Himself. Write it down. Praise Him for it. Carry it with you all day. Share it with others.

This is how the Bible transforms us—not by centering on our problems, but by centering on our God.

✨ “Do you remember at the beginning, when I asked you to name a few qualities of God? Maybe you thought of two or three—like God is love, God is holy, God is kind. But now, just by reading Psalm 18, look at how many attributes of God you’ve discovered: He is your Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Refuge, Shield, Salvation, Stronghold, Listener, Rescuer, Light-giver, Perfect One, Protector, Strength-giver, Stabilizer, Lifter, Defender, and Savior. Imagine how much more you can know Him if you read the rest of the Bible this way! This is the joy of Scripture—not only finding comfort for our needs, but truly knowing the God who is worthy of all praise.”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for giving us Your Word. Forgive us for reading it selfishly. Open our eyes to see who You are—Your love, Your power, Your mercy, Your holiness. Let Your nature be the focus of our hearts today. Teach us to meditate on You and share Your greatness with others.

Father, we thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Word. Today, through Psalm 18, You have shown us so much more.

You are our Rock and Fortress, unshakable and secure.
You are our Deliverer and Refuge, saving us when we are weak.
You are our Shield and Stronghold, protecting us on every side.
You are the One who hears our cries and never turns away.
You are our Rescuer, pulling us out of deep waters.
You are our Light-giver, turning darkness into light.
You are the Perfect One, flawless in all Your ways.
You are our Strength-giver and Stabilizer, keeping our feet firm and lifting us up to higher ground.
You are our Defender and Savior, fighting for us when we cannot fight for ourselves.

Lord, we praise You for being all of this and more. Help us never to read Your Word only for our problems, but to always seek You in every verse. Teach us to know You, love You, and walk with You daily.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.