The daily walk continues and I'm currently on a rest day. Yesterday I finished Chapter 10 of Exodus which means I am a quarter of the way through Exodus!
Bible in a Year has been great so far. I was reminded of how much I loved the story of Joseph, the lessons I learnt from Genesis all those years ago in the DHW Bible study series, and am looking forward to continuing the story of Moses tomorrow.
BUT
What keeps looming over me is the inevitable cloud of falling behind or stopping my reading. In some ways it encourages me to keep trying to defy that cloud of failure - but then I am faced with a second cloud of obligation where I dutifully complete my reading because I am supposed to and not because I want to spend time with God in His Word. The temptation of one is to submit to the other - I try to overcome the failure cloud by making sure I read every day, then I think 'am I doing this out of duty and not devotion?' and then I am tempted to not do it because it becomes seemingly contrived.
SO
What has helped me to find the right heart in doing the reading has been John Piper's IOUS.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness (Psalm 119:36)
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18)
Unite my heart to fear thy name (Psalm 86:11b)
Satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14)
The times when I have remembered to take time to get my heart right before reading, I am encouraged by what I read. Just makes me wonder, will this work when it comes to Leviticus?
Only time will tell. :)
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