No Speeding

Big Idea: Slowing down while reading a Bible verse gives time to meditate and hold on to a thought throughout the day.



Cause me to understand… Wait. Diane. Slow down. Think about that! The Psalmist is asking God to help him have understanding of the Bible. Wow. Good thought! I should hold on to that.

I had just started a book of devotions and that day’s reading featured Psalm 119:27-32.

I often speed through Bible passages

True confession. In my class preparations I read long passages in one sitting. Last year I did a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year. I feel sometimes like I’m speeding through Bible passages at 80 miles per hour trying to get through it and get on with my day.

This year I want focus. I want less quantity and more reflection.

The whole of Psalm 119:27 reads, Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

I paused firstly at Cause me to understand… but as I moved on to the way of your precepts I found myself pausing again. I see this phrase all the time in the Psalms. Have I ever stopped to think about it?

The way of your precepts. The way. It’s like a path or a road. It requires a journey, a way we ought to go. Hmmm. That is worth reflecting on.

Sit on it

I decided to sit with just these two thoughts. I’d reflect on more tomorrow.

I noticed the second part of the verse mentions meditate, which is what this is.

My January blog mentioned my meditation tiles. I like to take a verse like this and make a tile. On my phone, I pull it out when walking, in a grocery store line, or at an appointment waiting.

Ways to meditate on a verse

1. Read Purposefully. Slow down and read a sentence or phrase. Not every sentence in the Bible brings meditation thoughts, but the Psalms are full of them. The teachings of Jesus and Paul are too.

2. One word. Take one word for emphasis at a time.

THE way of your precepts. Yup, it is the singular best way.

The WAY of your precepts. The way, the path, the way the truth and the life, right?

The way of YOUR precepts. Who does it belong to? Who is “your”? Oh, God. Right. It’s all about Him.

The way of your PRECEPTS. Not to sound like a thesaurus but… Instructions. Guidebook. Manual for Life. Commandments. Oh, like the 10 commandments and so much more!

3, Visual reminder. You might put it on a sticky note. A meditation tile. In your planner for today.

4. Imagine. Visualize yourself with Jesus telling you. Or the Psalmist. Imagine asking if he’s made a song to this thought. Ask yourself, can I make up a song for myself? You’re not planning on getting a Dove award. It’s for you and the Lord.

5. Apply. Mull on it in your life situation. Why does it matter? How does it help?

6. Pray. Do you have a burning question about it? Pray for wisdom.

7. Other versions of the Bible. Consider reading it in a couple of versions for a fresh view. Maybe another version gives another facet to this diamond.

Slow down

Slow down. Keep it in your heart. Reflect. Remind. Rest.

 _________________

Previous post: My Meditation Tiles
Upcoming post:

_________________

Reflect:


Take time to reflect on this yourself today. Or choose a different verse. Practice meditation on the Word of God.

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. Psalm 119:2