Journaling Through the Psalms – Studying the Word of God
Journaling through the Psalms can be an effective way of studying the Word of God. Here Steph Nickel reviews “Journaling Through the Psalms by Susie Larson.
Contact us or share below your own opinions of page turners that you have read.
Journaling Through the Psalms
Do you set a time aside regularly to read God’s Word and pray?
Some people call it “doing devotions.” Others call it their “quiet time.”
Regardless of what you call it, it is a vital part of our journey toward Christian maturity, one that should last a lifetime.
My Quiet Time
My quiet time likely looks very different from yours. In fact, my own devotional time includes a wide variety of elements in any given week or month.
Currently, I am working my way through selected readings from Romans by focusing on one truth each day and using items such as washi tape, stickers, and markers to illustrate that truth.
I also listen to the “One Verse Devotional” podcast by Matthew McCarrick. (And, of course, there is the wide selection of options here on HopeStreamRadio.)
I’m also meeting with a friend 3-4 times per month to go through Journaling Through the Psalms by Susie Larson.
There is space on every other page for journaling one’s thoughts on the psalm(s) they read that day.
Focused on God
The writing prompts are reflective, and while focused on God, that focus is primarily on how the Lord is working in our lives. I believe there is a time for self-reflection. Our faith is more than an academic study—although there is a place for that as well.
The prompts include the following:
Psalm 1 – Consider the streams that flow in and through your life right now. Are they nourishing? Toxic? Let Jesus speak to you today.
Psalm 8 – Whatever you are facing, remember this: God is stronger still. Seek His face and His strength.
Psalm 25 – We are prone to wander in our thoughts, perspective, and even our deeds. How is God calling you back to the path of life? How will you respond?
Psalm 41 – We sometimes fail others. They fail us. We need God’s grace and mercy. Entrust your relationships and your identity to Him.
Psalm 129 – We get knocked down, but we are not defeated. Jesus bore the pain and the shame for us. His victory is now our victory. Write a faith statement today.
While the book is aimed at a female audience, both men and women could benefit from using the readings and the writing prompts to direct their thoughts and their decisions.
Journaling Through the Psalms
The subtitle of Journaling Through the Psalms is A Creative, Intimate Way to Grow Closer to God. And this is definitely a good reason to make our quiet time a priority.
As I mentioned, I use a variety of materials for my quiet time—which isn’t as frequent as I would like it to be, by the way.
It’s important to learn to recognize how God is at work in our lives, where He is challenging us to grow in our faith, and how much He truly loves us.
But it is also important to recognize that He is at work in others’ lives and just may want to use you as part of that work.
That’s one of the benefits of meeting with my friend regularly. I hear how she responded to the same psalms, the same writing prompts. I am not there as a teacher, but a co-learner, a sister in Christ.
Academic Study of God’s Word
And regarding academic study …
I’m so thankful for diligent students of God’s Word.
I’m thinking of our teaching pastor, who is currently on the other side of the world on a three-week trip teaching pastors and Bible College students. He goes regularly and sets an incredible example for the church family.
I am also thinking of our discipleship pastor, a young man of 27, who is devoted to the study of God’s Word. He is also devoted to our congregation and is doing a wonderful job of making connections with the seniors, the youth, newcomers, charter members …
His series of sermons about our church’s newly revised mission statement reveals his devotion to rightly present the truths of Scripture as well as his commitment to the church family.
Studying the Word of God
If it wasn’t for these men’s diligence in studying the Word of God, more from an academic viewpoint, they wouldn’t be the shepherds they are.
So, as we consider how to spend our devotional time, let’s think about the importance of learning to recognize how God is at work in our lives—and in the lives around us.
You may want to pick up your own copy of Journaling Through the Psalms by Susie Larson. God bless you on your journey!
And may we all seek to honour and glorify the Lord in this—and in all areas of our lives.
Happy reading!
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
More Podcasts to Enjoy:
More Blogs
Tell the Story and Turn the Page
This Unusual Summer: Sheltering In Place TBR Pile
Images Courtesy of:
Bible – Free-Photos
Girl Reading – pixels2013
Reading – StockSnap
Journeying Through The Psalms – Susie Larson
Leave a Reply