Right Motivations to Study the Bible

The author of Psalm 119 talks about his love for the Bible which is also known as the Law:

Psalms 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened [revived] me.

Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalms 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

The Psalmist didn't even have most of the Bible completed when he spoke about God's word being so amazing. He probably only had the first five books of the Bible, the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. How much more are we blessed having the whole counsel of God available to us now!

The Bible is the only book in the world where the Author is present while the reader is reading it no matter where they are. This is interesting as many people doubt that the Bible can be read properly by mere lay people but that is the role of the Holy Spirit - to guide the reader.

Here are some right motivations to study the Bible.

1. Spending time with God at a personal level.
   From Psalm 119, it is revealed that God HELPS us by opening our eyes verse 18, giving understanding v27,34,73, teaching us v12,26,33.
   
   GOD MINISTERS to us through the Bible by using it to comfort us v52,82, revive us v50,93, strengthen us v92, give us peace v165, and a catch all, he - helps us v175.
   
   OUR RESPONSE is to love God v47,48,97, delight in God v16,24, believe God v42,43, long for God v20,40, rejoice in God v14,111, fear (respect or revere) God v120,161, cling to God v31, and give thanks to God v162,164.
   
   Basically, the Bible is not just a handbook but a self revelation of God. We are to look for God in the Bible, not to find things for ourselves per se. It is in the meeting with God that we are able to change. We cannot just learn God's requirement and meet them on our own. We all fail miserably at meeting His standard. It is getting to meet with God through the Bible that we can change. eg Moses met with God and was changed.
   
   
2. Study the Bible to be transformed by God
   2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
   
   The Bible teaches us what is right (doctrine), what is wrong (reproof), how to make things right (correction), and how to keep it right (instruction in righteousness).