I have heard for years to do this for daily time with the Lord: read a psalm and a proverb and then something in the new testament. I would do this haphazardly. I would start strong and then fizzle. I would randomly pick a psalm and a proverb…but some of them are really long and my priority was to get my day going because there was lots to do, just lots. Sometimes, if I woke up before my alarm, I would lay in my bed before my alarm went off and cruise through my youversion app. Daily time with the Lord was always a part of my life but it definitely was not my priority. Well in March of this year, my world slowed considerably when Covid hit. I felt God speaking to me that He wanted my first fruits of the day, not my sloppy leftovers. He wanted me to stop “checking the box.” This was my opportunity to get into rhythm of daily quiet time. This was my opportunity to live my faith.
On March 14, I started Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1 along with Core 52. After I read Psalm 1, I put the date next to it – the same in Proverbs. There are 150 Psalms and 31 Proverbs. It is now Aug 10th and I just finished the book yesterday and have gone through Proverbs 5 1/2 times! It is awesome. I highly recommend you try this.
Reading Psalms is like reading David’s own prayer journal. Most of these Psalms are written by David (73 of them) and some before he was King. There is one Psalm he wrote while hiding in the cave from Saul. God’s character is revealed in a very intimate way in the Psalms. (Psalm 147: His understanding has no limit.) And then paired with Proverbs, it is like eating a balanced meal. Proverbs is the practical side…very helpful and very convicting. Don’t worry in Proverbs 21:1, 30-31 or one of my personal favorites – Proverbs 25:17, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house – too much of you, and he will hate you.” Or this one from Proverbs 24:26, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”
Haba na haba. This is a an old Kenyan proverb that means slowly by slowly or little by little your pot will be filled. It has been my mantra this year. I want things to happen yesterday and it just doesn’t work like that. We want our souls and hearts to be like an episode of Fixer Upper, where in an hour the old is new. We want to be one and done. God works in His time and even though he can do things in a twinkling of an eye, the work of sanctification is slow and steady. This is my encouragement that you can do it!
As a matter of fact, I am going to restart Psalms again…TODAY! Why don’t you join along? I will be putting it on my facebook page. Follow along. We can do it together. I would love to hear what you find and what speaks to you.
#pandpchallenge
Psalm 4: 6-8 “Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord, You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
kim bentson 