In general, while it is true that the question about our motivation to read Scripture is not so much “how will I provoke myself?” but, “will I provoke myself to delight in God and His declaration to me this day?” yet, there is still instruction about how to stimulate our hearts to read, as Thomas Watson demonstrates (he adds many Biblical examples in these points; I offer only a brief synopsis):
- Read the Word as book made by God Himself.…The Word is of divine origin and reveals the deep things of God to us.…Other books may be written by holy men, but this book is indicted by the Holy Ghost.
- Read the Word as a perfect rule of faith; it contains all things essential to salvation.…
- When you read the Word, look on it as a soul-enriching treasury. Search here as for a vein of silver (Prov. 2:4). In this Word are scattered many divine aphorisms; gather them up as so many jewels. This blessed books helps to enrich you; it fills your head with knowledge and your heart with grace. It stores you with promises.…
- Look upon the Word as a spiritual magazine out of which you fetch all your weapons to fight against sin and Satan.…
- Look upon the Word as a spiritual glass to dress yourselves by. It is a mirror for the blind (Ps. 19:8).…
- Look upon the Word as a book of spiritual recipes.…If you are poisoned with sin, here is an herb to expel it.
- Look upon the Word as a sovereign elixir to comfort you in distress. It comforts you against all your sins, temptations, and afflictions. What are the promises but divine cordials to revive fainting souls!…
- Read the Word as the last will and testament of Christ. Here are many legacies given to them that love Him: pardon of sin, adoption, and consolation. This will is in force, being sealed with Christ’s blood.…
- Read it as a book by which you must be judged.…They who live according to the rules of this book shall be acquitted; they who live contrary to them shall be condemned.
Words of Grace 