Why do we read and study God's Word? 2 Peter

2 Peter 3:1-2
"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles."

Why are Christians encouraged to read the Bible every day?  Why do we believe it is beneficial to be engulfed in God's Word on a daily basis?  Why do we think it is a key of the Christian life to memorize and meditate on Scripture?   It's not that the Word of God is some secret potion.   We do not believe that simply hearing God's Word will permanently change lives.  James tells us to be aware of the fallacy (James 2:18-20).    Yet, Paul does say that faith can't happen without the hearing of the Word (Romans 10:17).   Peter, in the above couple of verses, outlines for us both the reason for the book he is writing and the reason Christians are encouraged to read, study and mediate on God's Word:  We ALL have a tendency to forget.    It is amazing how quickly we forget things in our lives.   We often, quite easily, forget the things we have learned and even studied.   Peter, before his death (it appears to be imminent) wants his readers to go back and remember what they had learned.  He knew they might fall into sin, simply because of a weak mind with memory issues.   But, he also knew that the false teachers were spreading a variety of variant views and, by reminding them of what they knew, Peter is assuring they will be warding off evil teaching.  Spending time in God's Word is a way to ward off the evil teachers and to keep one's mind sharp.    We are not to be lazy minded.  Peter tells us that he is "stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder."  The implication is that when we read God's Word and hear it, we are keeping our mind sharp and that is the bedrock of our life decisions.   Peter is reminding them to remember the words spoken by the prophets (Old Testament) and the Savior (the Gospels) and those words, by extension the Apostles (the Epistles).   All the Words of God Word are to be read, meditated upon and observed.  That is why we read God Word.