There’s a quiet fear that makes many Christians shy away from Bible reading plans: What if the guide or the day’s schedule locks me into pages that don’t match my season?
For instance, genealogies, laws, long narratives, or prophecies, while the encouragement I so desperately need sits somewhere else?
In this article, I will push back on that worry. From my journey and how Scripture works, using a Bible reading plan won’t make you miss out on your rhema word. If anything, it increases your chances of hearing God on time.
Why a Bible reading plan won’t make you miss out
As we explored the concept of consistent Bible reading, we noted that there are many Bible reading methods. Many methods, like chronological, book-by-book, or even cover-to-cover Bible reading, may involve using some structure or plan.
If you choose to use a plan, here’s why every text you read will be relevant to your life’s seasons.
1. God’s sovereignty
Contrary to the popular fear, you will discover an interesting dynamic as you read the Bible. God works out things so that the Scripture you are reading will speak to the unique things you are going through at that moment.
Sometimes, you’ll be surprised to discover that a Scripture which seems unrelated—or one you’ve never viewed in a certain light—speaks directly to what you’re going through in that season.
That’s God’s sovereignty at play.
Pst. Jon Courson often says: wherever you are is where you’re at.
So aptly captures this aspect of God’s sovereignty.
A few years ago, when I adopted consistent, cover-to-cover Bible reading, I feared that I would miss out on the rhema word for my seasons.
However, I proved what Pst. Jon Courson said true. Somewhat, the portion of scripture I’m reading in my consistent Bible reading is very relevant to my current situation.
Wherever I am reading in Scripture almost always matches where I am at in life.
I have never felt that I am missing out on anything. That makes Bible Study so beautiful, and I always look forward to the next time I’ll be in the Word.
Saint, don’t fear taking structured Bible reading. God will always ensure you have the relevant Word for the season. Yes, He gives the best parts of the meat of the Word on your table, the portion of meat that resonates with your prevailing circumstances.
Adopting a Bible reading plan won’t make you miss out.
2. God’s Word is alive
Sometimes, our pursuit of the so-called relevant Word is misplaced. See, God meets us in whatever passage we open.
In our finite wisdom, we might think we really need to hear or read about a given topic/ subject. Yet God knows what we truly need in a given season.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). The Word is not a museum piece — it’s a living word that cuts, heals, comforts, and convicts across time.
So the question is not whether you will find what you read relevant. It is: Will you be consistent enough for God to have something to align with your life?
Allow the Holy Spirit to apply whatever portion of the living word you are reading to your life.
He mediates Scripture to our circumstances, and does not need you to pick a topical verse for Him to speak — He brings the text alive to your present need (which many times you may not know you have).
3. God’s preparing you for your next season
Have you ever read Scripture that sounded irrelevant or unconnected to your current season, then soon or later, you encounter a situation where what you read applied?
Well, it is not a coincidence, it’s a God-incidence. That was God preparing you ahead of time.
That’s another reason you don’t need to worry so much about having a relevant word for the season.
Following a Bible reading plan won’t make you miss out. Sometimes, the all-knowing God providentially leads us to certain texts to prepare us for what is to come.
Don’t pressure yourself for relevance. It’s not always about how the Word applies to you at the moment. Where God leads to read now may be for the future.
Let the evergreen Word of God shape your life at present into the future. Allow God to appropriate it as He sees fit to work out His purposes for your life, which may include preparation for the future.
If you can’t find an application for what you are reading now, store it well. Sooner than later, you will have the opportunity to practice what you read when God brings a relevant situation.
Conclusion: A Bible reading plan won’t make you miss out
You might think a road narrows your options, but it connects you to your destination. Using a structured Bible reading plan does not limit you, but opens you up to limitless, relevant Scripture.
So, if you’ve been held back by the fear of missing that timely, relevant word, take this as permission to start. You may begin a reading plan for discipline, but God providentially lands you on what exactly you need for that season, or use it to prepare you for the next.
Commit to a structure, step out in faith, and see how God will serve you the rhema word suitable for the different seasons of your life.
Still hesitant? Do this challenge: Choose a 30-day plan. Read, pray, and jot one sentence after each session. At the end of 30 days, look back and notice how often God met you on time.
You can also read:
10 Obstacles to Consistent Bible Reading (And How to Remedy Them)