Tuesday May 20, 2008
Here is a quote sent to me by a reader of this site. It is drawn from Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks. It is well worth pondering (and, in a case of good timing, was something I was pondering this morning as I opened the Bible to Psalm 19).
Remember, it is not hasty reading, but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee’s touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest, and strongest Christian.
Comments (9) »
1. David Porter
May 20, 2008
5:25 PM
I like that thought a LOT! Thank for sharing it.
2. Catherine
May 20, 2008
7:59 PM
I know a lot of people that read endlessly and then when you point out that there may be a problem with the material they are reading, don’t want to hear about it. Is it because they don’t take enough time meditating on what their reading to see the flaws? Or do they have to be hip and with it, so they read what the world would consider acceptable reading material? There is no lack of material out there to read, even in Christian circles (I may be using that term too loosely). But, discerning the right things to read that can be “meditated on”, might be tricky. I think the main focus of our reading, as a believer, ought to be God’s Word. I am seeing too many Christians going to this or that person’s books and taking their theology from it. Your new book on discernment will come in handy to many Christians that have lost their way in regards to what is most important to the Lord.
Thanks Tim, for your blog. I know it must require a lot of your time. I sure enjoy reading what you have here.
3. Kyle
May 21, 2008
12:01 AM
yeah, but meditating on it means I would probably end up feeling convicted and have to change my actions.
4. Ennis
May 21, 2008
8:30 AM
Great point! How much Bible you read isn’t as important as how much you retain and reading about the Bible through the writings of others (although certainly useful and very much a privilege today) is no replacement. I have gone through many Bible reading cycles (once in a year to four times a year) but the reading from which I retain the most is one passage (even one verse) read for a whole week during which copious notes are taken and observations made.
5. Dan Hagan
May 21, 2008
12:11 PM
Tim,
I admire your standards and your discernment skills.
I agree with Catherine on all her points and I have to add that I personally find it easy to tell when a concept or doctrine is un-biblical. You know that feeling you get in your chest when you hear the Lord’s name taken in vain or someone is diminishing the sufficiency of Christ and His completed work on the Cross….
God bless you and your family Tim!
Dan…
6. TCR
May 21, 2008
12:25 PM
I think I need this quote more than anyone else, but I’m so addicted to reading fast and a lot.
7. Will
May 21, 2008
5:02 PM
I guess I’d say “yes” and “no” to Thomas Brooks. Certainly it’s true that one has to meditate on the Word of God, let it soak in, pray about understanding and applying it; otherwise, what good is it?
On the other hand, if you just read a few verses here and there and never get the big picture, one is apt to lose sight of the meaning of scripture in its larger context. It’s like looking at the “Mona Lisa” through a keyhole. One of my biggest blessings this year has been to listen to the entirety of the New Testament on mp3. You get a great feel for the flow of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels and how that moves right into Acts. You watch Paul develop and the Gospel go to the Gentiles and follow along as the Jews doggedly persecuted him from city to city. You see the whole reasoning of Romans and the equally wonderful Epistle to the Hebrews. These you can meditate on the rest of the day and go back and read for even deeper understanding.
I always enjoy your blog, Tim, (especially your review of “The Shack”) and all I really meant to say is that there is also great blessing in reading/listening-to and meditating on large portions of scripture as well as smaller portions.
8. LOSWL
May 24, 2008
6:59 PM
WOW!!…that is a beautiful quote!!…The word of God is so powerful, it cuts like a double edged sword, but at the same time it is sweet like honey :o)…meditating on a verse or passage of scripture is good, I think it is also important to ask the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. God Bless
9. Curtis
May 30, 2008
4:19 PM
It’s funny, but I know this to be true, yet I still tend to read too fast for my own good. I know that I retain more of what I’m reading if I slow down, read it over again if it’s a difficult passage, and contemplate the implications of what I’m reading, however before I know it I’ve finished the chapter. Besides that I love authors such as Piper, MacArthur, Sproul, and of course the puritans and reformers, mostly because they saturate their writtings with scripture, this however should never be in place of openning our bibles (MacArthur study bible/ Reformation study) and feeding on God’s Word. May God bless you in your reading His word.