Today's readings:
Psalm 1, Psalm 2, Psalm 3, Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27, Romans 8:26-30, Matthew 23:1-12
By happy accident, our devotional project begins on the day we read Psalm 1, containing the words: “[H]is delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither”(vv. 2-3).
We might like the idea of spending more time exploring scripture, but the reality of dwelling on it day and night may seem daunting, maybe even unnecessary. After we’ve read through the Bible (or the parts we consider important) once or twice, we may begin to feel we "get it" and become satisfied with our understanding. We may even learn some favorite passages to whip out from time to time, or start mentally composing a grocery list when "that scripture" is read again at church. But is this the delight promised in the Psalm?
If our study of scripture is to yield fruit we must return to it with the regularity and reliability of the seasons. Consider your own story for a moment. As you have matured, what new insights have you gained into the narrative of your life? How often does your understanding of the characters in your story evolve? What about your opinion of yourself and your actions? Though our core personalities are unlikely to change, what we knew firmly at fifteen may be a different story at fifty. And there is a certain delight in realizing we have better insight than we used to.
The same is true of our study of scripture. Each time we meditate on a passage, the experiences we’ve gained influence our understanding of the text. Sometimes the experience was intentional, such as reading a Bible commentary offering historical context. Other times the experience was more organic: hearing “love is patient, love is kind” (1 Cor 13:4) on a wedding day is very different than hearing it after twenty years of practice. Life helps us understand scripture, and regular scripture reading helps us understand life.
Comfort: Scripture is always waiting for us with new depths of truth.
Challenge: Commit to daily scripture reading through the end of the month.
Prayer: Gracious and merciful God, may your Word be ever on my heart.
Evening readings:
Psalms 4 and 7
(Woo hoo first comment!)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great point, that we will get new things from the same reading as our lives progress. I used to be disappointed when I'd hear the same parable, for example, every year in church. However, now I enjoy hearing the familiar story, and I have also noticed that I pick up on a new aspect of the reading depending on what's going on in my own life. Thank you for putting it so well.