SWHW Bible Reading Plan: October 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Liz Patton:

Psalm 119 has 176 verses, making it not only the longest Psalm, but also the longest chapter in the entire Bible!  And the entire Psalm is focused on God’s Word and the psalmist’s desire to love and obey It.

As I was reading, I couldn’t help but notice that seven times the psalmist asks the Lord to, “teach me your decrees.” (see verses 12, 26, 64, 68, 124, 135, and 171.)  That’s seven times that the psalmist stopped to pray and ask for supernatural wisdom to understand God’s Word.  

And I had to stop right then and there and do a heart-check myself.  How many times do I do the same?  Or instead, do I just dive into God’s Word, headfirst and in my own strength?  Am I reading for head knowledge or heart change?   

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11

We have so many resources available to us today to help us better understand God’s Word--Google searches, commentaries, Bible studies, and even devos like this one!  Those are all good tools to use after we have asked God to, “Teach me your decrees.” 

If we truly want God’s Word to be “a lamp to our feet and a light for our path” (Psalm 119:105) then before reading It, let’s ask the Lord for wisdom as He teaches us His ways.  And then may we be able to say, as the psalmist did in verse 171,

“May my lips overflow with praise,

For you teach me your decrees.”

Dear God, thank You for Your Word.  And thank You that we don’t have to read It alone or try to understand It in our own strength.  Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in Your Word and give us a hunger for Your Word, too. We love You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.