READ: 2 Kings 22:8-13
And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. :- 2 Kings 22:10-11
Reading Christian books is important for your constant preparation. The life of King Josiah reveals the power of reading in the life of a believer. The reign of King Josiah changed dramatically through reading.
The Bible states that the priest Hilkiah found a “Book of the Law” in the temple during the early stages of Josiah’s temple renovation. Hilkiah then gave the scroll to his secretary Shaphan, who took it to King Josiah. According to the Bible, King Josiah then changed his form of leadership entirely, entering into a new form of covenant with the Lord. He wiped out all of the pagan cults that had formed within his land. He, along with his people, then entered into this new covenant with the Lord to keep the commandments of the Lord. What an amazing impact book reading had on Josiah.
Constantly read books and you will constantly experience dramatic changes in your mind, heart and soul. You will never be a good preacher unless you read books constantly. Obviously, Apostle Paul was an avid reader too. We know Apostle Paul was an avid reader from two things. First, because he called for his books and parchments to be brought to him.
And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:12-13
We also know Apostle Paul was a reader because of his numerous quotations from other books. Apostle Paul quoted from the first five books of the Old Testament at least 45 times. Then, Apostle Paul quoted from the prophets 53 times. Apostle Paul quoted from Isaiah alone 36 times. This great apostle also quoted from the Book of Psalms 23 times.