Fighting for Joy - Pt 4(b) - Reading the Word

As I mentioned last week, I've been blogging through this book and am up to the chapter called 'How to wield the word in the fight for joy'. This is a very practical chapter on how to use the Bible in our fight for joy. In other words, how to read it, memorise it and treasure it. I really recommend you read the chapter instead of reading an in depth summary by me. But, I will share what I found most helpful about the chapter.

The need to plan when you'll feed on God’s word

This is something I've been convicted of again in the last year. There were a few years after I had my babies where my previous discipline with reading the Bible had gone out the window. I became very sporadic. I would try new ways of fitting in daily Bible reading, but my resolve would quickly falter. Of course, it is understandable that a new baby makes it difficult to have a set time each day to read God's word. Things are out of control and you can't plan anything. But, I think what ended up happening to me was that I never got back on track because I never chose a time in day when I would do it and stick with it. I did try picking a few unreasonable times of the day a various points (eg. at night!!) and would become disheartened and disappointed with myself when it didn't happen. And (no surprises here) without spending regular time reading my Bible, my joy in God was withering away.

After reading this chapter in the middle of last year (I read ahead of myself!) I was reminded that I just needed to plan a realistic time in the day when it could happen and do it. I put it in the timetable! Dave and I have worked out a way that we take it in turns to read the Bible and pray while the other spends time with the kids. It's a short time (we have to be pretty strict otherwise we don't get out the door), but it's something. Simple really! And once I got back into the habit of daily reading, I realised how much I had been hungering for this solid food.

The need to plan how you'll feed on God’s word

Piper also has some good thoughts about the need to plan how you will read the Bible as well. At the moment I am using The Daily Reading Bible from Matthias Media. I like the fact that it doesn't have dates on the readings which is realistic (even with my good intentions!) and helps me not be too legalistic about things.

Morning is best and alone is best!

I agree with Piper's arguments that reading the Bible in the morning is best (if possible), and that it is good to find a place of seclusion. I thought this was interesting, because I used to read my Bible on the train on the way to work and I know that I was so distracted by everything that was going on! Also, as Piper points out, it is good to have a quiet place so that you 'can speak out loud and sing and cry'. Being on a crowded train does tend to prevent you from doing these things (although, it is better than nothing!).

Bible memorisation

This is something I want to try after reading this chapter again. I don't think I've ever gotten into the habit of memorising the Bible on a regular basis and was convinced by Piper's argument that:

The joy-producing effects of memorising Scripture and having it in my head and heart are incalculable. The world and its God-ignoring, all embracing secularism is pervasive. It invades my mind every day. What hope is there to have a mind filled with Christ except to have a mind filled with his Word?

He suggests starting with one verse a week. It sounds daunting but there are some really helpful tips on how to do this in this chapter. My bloggy friend Leslie has also been doing some Bible memorisation on her blog which I've found to be an encouragement to do some myself as well!

Write things down

This is something I've just started, and it does help. Piper argues that writing things down as you read helps you to slow down and see what you are reading. As a friend of mine said to me recently, it also helps combat the temptation to rush through it so you 'get it done' and helps you to actually be challenged by what you are reading.

Do some serious reading and thinking

I was also convinced by Piper's arguments that reading serious doctrine is more joy producing than light hearted devotional books.

I would challenge you to throw off the notion that weighty books of doctrine are joy-squelching, while light devotional books are joy-producing. It's true that the joy of serious reading and the thinking that goes with it...may not be as immediate as the joy of singing in church, or seeing a sunset, or talking with a friend, or hearing a preacher with lots of stories. But the payload for joy may be greater. Raking is easier than digging, but you only get leaves. If you dig you may get diamonds.

This is something I want to do a lot more of!

There's lots more great stuff in this chapter about the worth of reading Christian biographies and the importance of the Word in the context of the community of believers too, but I think I'll leave it there and point you to some excellent posts written by my bloggy friend Jean earlier this year on regular Bible reading which you can find here and here.

Did anyone else find some helpful things in this chapter?