Read through the Bible in a year. I take the challenge years ago. And eventually it becomes a regular practice. Using various plans. McCheyne’s. Or our church’s outline for the congregation.
Sometimes I take a year. Other times, two.
The daily plunge covers a lot of ground through the Old and New Testaments. A big-picture look at Scripture.
The breadth and depth of His Word challenges and captivates me.
Teach me
Many verses and passages. Multiple chapters. So before the read, I ask. For eyes to see. Ears to hear. And a heart to obey.
Asking Him to slow my walk in the Word, if I’m rushing past.
I turn the words of the Word over in my mind. Thoughtfully. Prayerfully.
And the lingering on a verse or passage sends roots to the stream. Nourishing the core. Replenishing food supply for today.
Ezekiel
A verse in Ezekiel stops me in my tracks.
The Lord says, “I was crushed.” The Lord.
“I was crushed by their promiscuous hearts that turned away from Me” (Ezekiel 6:9 CSB).
I pick up another translation.
“I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from Me.” (ESV)
Reflect
I reflect. Remember how sin hinders. Blocks. Breaks relationship with our holy God.
In this case, the adultery of pursuing other gods brought judgment. They’d been warned time and time again.
But the lust of the eyes, the sin of the flesh hardened hearts toward the living God. Hurried them along a path of disobedience. Turned them away.
Is anything dulling my heart? Hindering wholehearted surrender to Him?
Wade in the waters
The weight on the heart of God draws me in. Crushed. Broken. I wade in the waters of the Word. Pause.
And Isaiah 53 comes to mind.
The Suffering Servant passage. Describing the man of sorrows acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). Prophecy of the One who was to come. Jesus Christ.
Crushed
“But He was pierced because of our rebellion…” I think of the nails piercing the hands and feet of Jesus.
“He was. . . crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.
We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished Him
for the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:5-6 CSB
Meditate
He was crushed. Crushed because of our sin.
On the hard words of Ezekiel and the startling prophecy of Isaiah, I meditate.
Sobered by the effects of sin.
And struck anew by the sacrifice of the Savior. That as I confess sin, this crushing sacrifice is why He is faithful and just to forgive that sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Slow walk
The big-picture read leaves me in awe. Draws me close to the One who had a plan and a purpose from the beginning.
The slow walk in the Word of the Almighty God reveals. Convicts. Renews. Encourages.
And I continue. Dwelling in the hard passages with anticipation of Messiah.
What about you?
Do you follow a specific reading plan every year? What helps you take a slow walk in the Word?
Related posts
Habit – Rushing past – Pressing in on Jesus – Paths and prophets – Shouts and whispers – Open to His Word – Words – Abiding in Christ – Skipping Truth – Blood and sacrifice – Mystery
16 replies on “Slow walk in the Word”
Susan, this year, I decided to read through the Bible using my dad’s One Year Bible. When I picked it up to consider using it for this year’s reading, I noticed the date he read through it was 1990. Thirty years ago, exactly. I thought about what was happening thirty years ago in my life, and that was the year I was finishing seminary and getting married. How appropriate that God would allow me to use his Bible at such a time as this. Dad was the one, after all, who told Raouf that he wanted me to finish school before we married. He was very proud of my seminary degree. I like using this Bible because I don’t have to think about where I left off the day before, as it’s all laid out for the day’s reading. I also like reading a Bible where I’m not distracted from my own notes in the margins. Just can’t get enough from God’s Word! So rich and full with every day.
Oh Carol, how special! Thank you for sharing this.
“The slow walk in the Word of the Almighty God reveals. Convicts. Renews. Encourages. “ To wade In the Word and a slow walk – thanks for living it not just writing it!!
Thankful for your constant encouragement, sister!
Im reading through the Bible with the Bible Project reading plan on You version bible plan it is fantastic but I have gotten bogged down with trying to catch up and check boxes, your post was a good reminder for me to slow down and savor the word even if it takes me two years.
You’re in a season of life where this is especially challenging…! But He is kind to provide what we need in His Word even when our time seems limited. Grace to you, sister.
June, I also have done that plan for the last two years and decided to take a break this year. My intent was to be able to take a slower walk and soak it in and meditate more. Some days I do that well and other days I seem to rush it to get on to the tasks ahead. Susan, I love the idea of taking 2 years instead of one but still having a plan. A good blend!
Thanks for sharing, Michelle. I’ve found it helpful to change things up every now and then, too. One time I tried a plan that took me through the different “genres” of Scripture–a different one each day of the week. Not something I’d repeat, but it was an interesting change for a year.
I’ve been using a Wesleyan devotion that has a 3 year cycle to read through the Bible. It follows the church calendar with special readings on Advent, Epiphany, Pentecost and other celebrations. It has challenged me and encouraged me by knitting together passages that I wouldn’t have combined.
This sounds interesting and refreshing. Thanks for sharing, sister.
Susan,
I started using the chronological plan from YouVersion two years ago. It’s good for me hear the scriptures read and to read along. I started the New Testament readings the past week. At first I was frustrated because every day it pops up that I am a certain number of days behind but after I learned to ignore it I was fine. I have gone back and listened to chapters several times so this has been a much slower plan than YouVersion had for me but it has been very rewarding.
Hearing the Word as you read it–such a great way to take in His Truth. Thanks for sharing this. I forget that it’s so easy to listen, using those Bible apps.
I’m doing a chronological plan. What helps me with slow is that I underline and think on certain parts. I love looking for new and fresh ways to read familiar stories.
I like to underline too. Sometimes I highlight the names of God and it helps me think about Who He is.Thanks for sharing.
I have been doing a chronological plan the past 2 years and love it. I am often behind but thankfully, Youversion has a catch me up button!! I have switched to the McCheyne one this year because a friend told me about the TGC devotions that go along with it. I am starting already behind but will try to do what I can. Still finishing several plans I started last year. I always bite off more than I can chew. Thanks for the reminder to slow down and savor.
Do you use the audio for these? Or read them? I’ve tried various plans, but always seem to land back at the McCheyne plan 🙂