SWHW Bible Reading Plan: October 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

In these 14 chapters, there are 101 verses--a storehouse of knowledge about the heart and character of God:

God is the One who answers: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me" (Psalm 120:1). That's a promise worth holding onto. We don't have to worry about making offerings to an idol or reciting promises to an image; our God is the One who answers. He doesn't just listen; He responds!

God is One who helps: "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber" (Psalm 121:1-3). He is not only our Helper, but He doesn't grow weary as He watches over us; He doesn't need a break or fall asleep on the job. Our help is in His name, not dependent on His mood or whether we deserve to be helped.

God is the One who protects: "The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" (Psalm 121:5-8). God's ability is not limited by time.

“If the Lord had not been on our side—let Israel say—if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away" (Psalm 124:1-5). God is on our side. God, the Creator of the universe, if for us. That's good news! 

God is the One who restores joy: "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy" (Psalm 126:1-3). God is the One who restores people, joy, and hope. Even in the midst of difficult times and circumstances, He is the One who fills us with laughter and good things.

God is the One who forgives: "If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you... put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption" (Psalm 130:3, 4 & 7). Who doesn't keep scores? God! Who forgives fully with unfailing love? God! When He looks at us, there isn't a tally sheet of our offenses and how many times He's had to forgive us. He doesn't offer partial redemption; because of His Son, it is complete.

God is the One who creates: "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2). "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8). "May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 134:3). Three times in these pages, we read the same phrase: Maker of heaven and earth. God is the ultimate creative: designing and generating all things in the universe (all that we can see, as well as what we cannot). He is the One who not only spans the galaxies in His hand, He knows your name, personality type, enneagram number, and hairs on your head. Let that settle: the Maker of heaven and earth also made you, and He is crazy about you!

The best part of reading these pages is that God hasn't changed! Psalm 102: 27 says, "But you remain the same," meaning that if God was loving, just, and forgiving in the days of King David, He is all of those things today too! In a world full of constant change, we can be confident that our God is unchanging.

Father, thank You for giving me a better understanding of Your character and nature through Your Word. Thank You for being unchanging, meaning that if David knew Your help and creativity, Your protection and forgiving nature, I can too. Thank You for the blessing that comes when I obey Your Word and walk with You. I want to live so that others become aware of Your nature and presence in my life; please help me do so.  Amen.