Be In Your Bible, Y’all
By Philip Nation
If not this year, every year should be declared the Year of the Bible. In 2026 and beyond, we need more scripture in our lives for all sorts of reasons. Jesus spoke directly about this need in His Word and Truth.
In John 17, we find an account of the lengthiest prayer from Jesus. He prays it is just before the Lord is arrested. In part of the prayer for His disciples, He prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (17:17).
If for no other reason, the fact that Jesus included this idea in prayer to the Father, we should hurry to our Bibles each day. It is God’s chosen way for us to be set apart for His great work in the world.
Many believers look for a reading plan to systematize their devotional life. As you consider how you'll deepen your devotional life and understanding of the Bible, let me make a few suggestions.
Remember the goal
The reason for reading the Bible is not to consume the over 770,000 words of the Bible. The true goal of reading scripture is to encounter God. They are His self-revelation to us. Use "finishing the plan" as a market but not the goal. Make your aim to become more intimate with God through engaging His Word.
Plans are made for you
You are not made for the plans. Over the course of the year, you will likely have a smattering of days where the Bible reading plan goes unattended. It will be because of a blip of spiritual apathy or sinfulness. You'll have an emergency that interrupts your whole life. Events will occur where you need to abandon the reading plan and study some other portion of the Bible. Remember that the reading plan is a tool for you to use, not a master that decides your spiritual fate. Be faithful to God and His Word; not to a plan that someone wrote and posted online.
Seek the whole counsel of God
Too many people hop, skip, and jump through topical readings about their favorite subjects. Finding a solid plan and sticking with it will allow you to get the full overview of God's revelation and a deeper understanding of how it all works together. The Lord has been kind enough to give us all that we need and some of it is found in the clean, white pages where the gilded edges are still stuck together. Take in the great panorama that God has provided from Genesis to Revelation.
Pick a plan that will benefit you
There are no shortages of plans to use. Choose one that will build your faith, encourage the spiritual discipline of scripture engagement, and that will drive a desperation for God’s work in the world. On occasion, I have plowed through the Bible with a 90-day plan. It requires reading somewhere around 13 chapters per day. Last year, I discovered a pastor who reads the Bible in total each month; consuming around 40 chapters each day. Others simply settle into one book and ruminate on it for months. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and dive in. The Lord wants to meet you in His Word.
As for me, I’m beginning 2026 with a reverse reading of Psalms. I’ll start Psalm 150, read three each day, and work backwards through the book. It’s a bit of an odd move but it’s my plan for now. When I hit February, I’ll likely move into the General Epistles (ones not written by Paul). After that, I’m not sure where I’ll go from there. I’ll pray as I go along and may find my way back to a Genesis-Revelation reading plan. But, no matter what, I’m going to be in my Bible, y’all.
I hope you will join me.
Philip Nation is a Vice-President/Associate Group Publisher with HarperCollins Christian Publishing where he oversees Thomas Nelson Bibles and Spanish Publishing. He has worked as a pastor, church planter, writer, and professor. Philip previously directed publishing of adult Bible study material for Lifeway Christian Resources. He is the author of numerous books and Bible studies including Habits for Our Holiness, Transformational Discipleship, Storm Shelter, and Recalibrate. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently a University Fellow for Arizona Christian University. Additionally, he has taught at Union University, Houston Christian University, and Kiev Theological Seminary. Philip frequently travels for preaching and teaching.
Connect: Philip Nation (@philipnation) / X