I have been wanting to read God’s Word more, and get familiar with it. I found this idea, and thought that it would work well to help me internalize his words to us, and it would be a kind of Bible study as well, as I think about the verses as I go through them. I sit down to read a book of the Bible, and I will take the time to write out what the Bible says. When I’m done with the section I’ve decided to do that day, I will pray it, seeking God to show me how it applies to my life, how it should impact my life, what it says about Him, the world, etc. Why do I write it out, and not just read and pray? I believe there is something special about doing so, and helps bring familiarity of the word into our minds.
And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20
A new king of Israel was required to write out a copy of God’s law for himself, so that he could read it and so that his heart would be drawn to the LORD. It gave him intimate knowledge of God’s word, because he had taken the time to sit down and read it, copying it out word for word. That would require slowing down and giving more time to absorb what God is saying in a passage, instead of just reading through it and not really taking time to think on what it says.
I’m doing this because I want a deeper knowledge of God’s Word and a deeper intimacy with God. Knowing what his word says helps us to know his heart, and helps us to guard ourselves against false teachings. Praying the passage helps me to see him, and helps me to see what he wants me to see. I ask that he would help me to desire him above all else, and help me to obey his commands.
I’ll try to keep you up to date on the books I’ve done, what I’ve learned from it, and what book I’m going to do next. That way, if you’d like to join me on my Read. Write. Pray. journey you can follow along! If you decide to join me, or if you choose to do your own version, I’d love to hear about it and what you’re learning, so leave a comment or message me via social media! My prayer for you is that you’d grow in your intimacy with our Savior as you seek to spend time with him. God will bless you in your pursuit of him. 🙂