In "Other" Words…

Don’t you love it when you are trying to form your words and figure out what to say, God hits you over the head with a verse.

Ms. Guyon was talking about meditative reading of the bible. She says:

“Meditative Reading is the choosing some important practical or speculative truth, always preferring the practical, and proceeding thus: whatever truth you have chosen, read only a small portion of it, endeavouring to taste and digest it, to extract the essence and substance thereof, and proceed no farther while any savour or relish remains in the passage: when this subsides, take up your book again and proceed as before, seldom reading more than half a page at a time, for it is not the quantity that is read, but the manner of reading, that yields us profit.”

I am guilty of reading fast, expecting me to “get things” in a quick manner. Isn’t that the way life is? “Ok Lord here I am, I am doing my devotions, I am ready to listen…buy hey I only have 20 minutes so make it quick.” Ok, I don’t say those exact words, but many times my attitude reflects that.

Then yesterday morning as I was thinking about what to write for this quote, the Lord had me in Hebrews 6. The Lord gave me a verse to meditate on all day:

“Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of the God”. Heb 6:7

In this chapter the Hebrew people are encouraged to go forward with the gospel, trying to prevent falling away in Christ. This is what the Lord laid on my heart during the day.

“Land that drinks in the rain” – people who are refreshed and who read the bible, not biblical books (which I do believe are important in teaching) but the BIBLE itself.

“often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed” – if you read the bible often, you become a vessel God can use for his glory.

“receives the blessing of God” – don’t you love it whenever God tells us something, he reminds us of his promises. His promise to bless us (even though we KNOW we don’t deserve it).

The Lord knows I learn best during object lessons. And meditating on this verse; practicing meditative reading the Lord blessed me yesterday (in many ways).

You May Also Enjoy:

Unique!

Tagged as: meditative reading, Ms. Guyon

Cyndi

Didn't get to participate but wanted to comment on your excellent post, and wonderful selection of quote. It reminds me of what I used to hear about reading: "Those who don't read have no advantage over those who can't." When I merely skim the scriptures without meditating I miss the work that the Holy Spirit- my Counselor- wants to do in my heart, which is instruct me according to His Word. In that regard and in that moment, I have no advantage over those who don't have the Holy Spirit at all, I don't think. Praise God that in this area He is SO good to "restore the years the locusts have eaten" when I do read meditatively. He teaches me SO much when I do s-l-o-w down and prayerfully drink in His Word.

Thank you SO much for this post.

Rachelle

Interesting quote... good food for thought! I love to let the Word "sink in" but I also enjoy reading large chunks at a time so that I properly get the context. Thanks for the post!

Shelley

What a great quote you chose. It really made me stop and think that I, far too often, tend to skim over the top instead of digging in to the buried treasure. I need to meditate on the Word more than I am likely to do - especially if I am "busy"...

Barb

I'm guilty of reading too fast, too. But what almost always happens is a little later on, it hits me that I read something I should have spent more time absorbing and I find myself going back and reading again, more slowly and with a lot more thought.

Cindy

What a great quote this is! This is my third "In Other Words," and once again I've been reminded of something I really needed to hear. Thanks, Laurel!

Tami Boesiger

Thanks for giving me a reason not to feel so guilty about never completing a "Bible in a Year" program.

Wendy

Thanks for sharing this today. There is such a difference between just reading and really meditating and having the right heart orientation.

janna

Great words, Laurel! Let's all get inspired to dig deep for God's treasures in His word rather than just skimming for the stories.

julie

Aww, to slow down. When will I ever learn this lesson.

Great verse, thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Julie

Bonnie W

Great comment, Laurel and so true. Thanks
Bonnie

Jennifer

Hi Laurel-I really appreciated this week's quote. I found myself going to bed with my Bible last night as I reasearched biblical references for this post. My 4 year old lay next to me, snuggled under the covers and feel asleep on my shoulder as I sat up in bed reading my Bible. I'm treasuring that moment. Thank you!

Blessed Beyond Measure

Probably almost anything we do, in this current culture of ours, would be better done if we just slowed down a bit. Thanks for the reminder of that. I'm off to do devotions right now, just linking my mom in.

MiPa

Thanks for a great quote this week! I am learning to slow down as well, and the blessings are rich. Thank you for giving me another verse to meditate on.

Camy Tang

This was a really interesting quote. I struggled a bit with it because while I do enjoy the times I meditate on the Word, my Bible in 90 Days experience was incredible (I blogged about it). I hope you don't mind a slightly dissident voice. :)
Camy

Denise

Well said, blessings to you sweety.

The Preachers Wife

Your site is lovely...your words as well..Thanks for the insight!

Purejoy

"if you read the bible often, you become a vessel God can use for his glory." I love that! Isn't that what it's all about? Great quote! Blessings

Crystal

Good stuff, Laurel. Thanks for sharing. :)

You know, I just remembered something that my husband and I joke about. When we pour a glass of milk (or something) and there's just a little more than we think will fit in our glass, we always say, "pour sloooowly and maybe it all will fit!" Even though it defies the laws of physics, we do it anyway and by golly it usually works somehow. LOL The analogy works here too. Let the Word pour in you slowly so you can let every last savory drop seep in.

Ann V.@HolyExperience

Farm me, Lord... plow me deeply. And may I drink in the rain. Water us, Father. That we may produce a harvest.

Thank you, Laurel. Your quote this week has profited me much, as I mulled on it. I want to drink deeply. And be done with skimming.

I am nearing the end of my One Year Bible, and I can't decide whether to start again, to read it through... so, SO good to read it this way... But I concur with you and Iris--I need to also drink DEEPLY and SLOWLY, to be a vessel.

Edifying words, dear sisters. My gratitude...
All's grace,
Ann

eph2810

Amen, Laurel. I love what you had to share with us today. I have tried many years to read the entire Bible. I wanted to-I started-I failed. Because I didn't let it sink in. I was 'skimming' the Word....But I don't believe that is what God wants us to do. He wants us to be "vessels" as you so wonderful put it.

Thank you for sharing and thank you for picking this quote this week...

Much love...

Darlene

Too often I read without the meditation, now I realize that I'm missing the extra blessing. I love the words "drinks the rain." It reminds me of a hot summer day when the cracked soil wants nothing less than a downpour.