Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on His law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither —
whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
Today we begin our 365-Days Daily Bible Reading Plan, meditating on the New Testament and Psalms throughout the year. What an appropriate verse to begin with!
As we look forward to 2024, today is a good day to make some decisions about how we would like our year to look. Many of us have developed an aversion to setting ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ because we’re fed up with the feeling of failing by January 5th! Instead, what if you received this invitation to dive deeper into God’s word without ‘success’ and ‘failure’ as your measure, but rather a deeper desire to draw near to God this year.
What if success isn’t never missing a day’s reading but taking the time to ‘be still and know that He is God’ (Psalm 46:10) on the days that you read; taking deep breaths and recommitting your plans to Him. What if success looks like your family spending one meal a week studying that day’s New Testament reading and discussing what it means?
I’ve discovered that in the unseen realm there’s a battle going on for my attention. The enemy who comes to ‘steal, kill and destroy’ (John 10:10a) wants me to believe that I’m failing before I’ve even begun. He wants me to believe that, because I didn’t read yesterday, I’m less worthy of God’s love today.
Here are some truths that I have learnt about God over the years:
- I am unable to earn His love, not matter how well I behave — it is freely given (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- When I repent, my sins are removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12)
- His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)
- There is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
- Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God! Romans 8:38-39)
So, with these truths in mind, will you join me in choosing ahead of time to meditate on God’s word? Let’s become those who are planted by streams of water! Let’s be a people of extraordinary devotion!
With love,
Katy Ryland and the eFocus Team