Be still and know that God is Sovereign. For He created all things and is your helping hand.

In December of 2020, I decided that along with my new decision to blog about my Christian readings, I should also keep a weekly devotional as part of my journaling practice. This devotional could contain excerpts that especially spoke to me from my current bible reading or even just random verses that I wanted to dwell upon. I felt that establishing such a practice would motivate me to read my bible, as well as provide weekly subjects for me to meditate upon. Now, several weeks later, I want to travel with you, through my first month of weekly bible study.

In my first week of Bible study, as if God knew my plans, I was attracted to an encouraging verse of scripture, Colossians 3:16, which reads:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

I can no longer remember whether it was when I read this verse, that I decided to journal my devotionals, or whether this verse just reinforced my decision. But whichever the case, I was really motivated to find a way to actively dwell on my readings after reading this verse. The prompting to "Let the message of Christ dwell among us richly" really spoke to me. It is not enough to read it and be done with it... you must let the message "dwell richly."

Furthermore, it promotes discussing your readings, as it advises to "teach and admonish one another." The "admonish" part of the message is something I've always struggled with because I don't like arguing about faith. Since I believe that everyone is free to believe whatever they want so why should I make matters of faith, a bone of contention? It's a part of the message that I internally debated until...

Week two, when I read Psalm 46:10 which goes:

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

So I stopped worrying about my duty to "admonish," and figured I would cross that bridge if and when I ever have to. Lol. The reminder that God is God, is a surprisingly effective relaxing agent, and, throughout the rest of the month, God reminded me of just what that meant. Like in week three, when I read Isiah 55:8-9 among other things.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It's like God is saying "Don't worry about my side of the equation. How I do what I do is beyond you anyway, so don't bother thinking about it. Just do your part, and leave the rest to me."

Finally, in my last week of Bible study in December, God took me back to the beginning to remind me that all things were created by and for him, and are within his power with Colossians 1:16-17.

For by Him all things were created, that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

So perhaps now, having gone through my December of Bible Study, you can see how the message I took away was:

Be still and know that God is Sovereign. For He created all things and is your helping hand.