A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 By W. Phillip Keller – Chapter 4 Reflection:
What does your discipline of drinking from the word look like?
Currently, I’m working through a chronological study of the New Testament. I’m following a reading plan designed to go through the entire Bible in 90 days. The New Testament portion I’ve been focusing on runs about 22 days, though if I’m honest, once I finish, I’ll have been working on it for closer to 30. Each day’s reading typically runs between an hour to an hour and a half. At the time of this writing (2/1/2020), I have two days left on this plan.
I’ve never attempted a study quite like this, it’s not the first time I’ve tried to go through scripture chronologically, but the first time I’ve sought to do so at such a fast-pace, and I’ve got mixed feelings about it. The pace of the study requires quite a bit of reading each day, more so then I’ve probably ever attempted before. For example, this morning I read all of 1 Peter and all of Hebrews, tomorrow I’m set to read 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, Jude, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, Monday will be the entire book of Revelation. On the one hand, I do enjoy this because it causes me to consume a large amount of scripture in a relatively short amount of time. However, on the other hand, it prevents me from really digging very deep, which I feel is more valuable.
At this time, I’m not quite sure what my time drinking from the word will look like once I finish this study plan. I was initially thinking of following the same study in the Old Testament, but as I’m writing this, I’m beginning to think that I may tackle a more focused study. Perhaps a topical study.
Is your discipline daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal?
The goal certainly is daily. Though, as previously mentioned, I fail at that more often then I’d like to admit.
What time of day do you usually go to drink from His word?
For me, there is no better time to drink from His word than first thing in the morning. Every evening before bed, I set my alarm for 3 AM and pray for the discipline to get up when it goes off. When I’m successful, those are the best days. His word has a way of permeating my entire day. I feel more in tune with His spirit, His voice seems so much clearer, I talk to Him more, and temptation seems to loosen its grip. The days I fail are bleak by comparison.
Do you ever dig your own cisterns to drink from? (Jer. 2:13)
In thinking about digging my own cisterns, I ask myself what it is that prevents me from drinking from the living water of God’s word, and the first thing that comes to mind would have to be bringing my work home with me.
My current schedule requires me to get up very early in the morning to spend time in His word. To be successful requires me to also go to bed quite early, and most of the time, that isn’t an issue. However, at times when I bring my work home, I have a terrible habit of letting it consume me. Before I know it, not only have a neglected my family, but I’ve also stayed up too late and made it all the more difficult to get up in the morning and do what I know should come first. And for what? The benefit has never once outweighed the cost.
He leads me beside still waters.