Last week’s Devotional sought
to demonstrate how one can benefit from meditating on the Scriptures by using a
simple and prayerful 4-part approach to Journaling called SOAP; which is an
acrostic for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.
Beginning and ending with
prayer and praying at every step, this easy discipline involves one’s own Bible,
a notebook and a pen. Once again, here
is an attempt to share how this can easily work for any believer wanting to
enjoy life-changing Bible reading.
As explained earlier, in my
example below of an actual meditation, I started by praying first before
reading the Scriptures, which this time was PROVERBS 28. While prayerfully reading the Chapter the
second time I looked for what seemed to speak to me the most. On this particular day, verse 26 seemed to be
one that caught my attention, so I copied it word for word in my journal beside
the letter S. This then
became my meditation Scripture.
Then I read what I had
written again while praying for my own words to say the same thing in another
way; which was then written beside the letter O for my own
Observation.
After that, I read both the
Scripture and Observation that I had written; while asking the Lord to help me
see how this applies to my everyday life.
Then I began to write my personal understanding of this passage’s
Application, beside the letter A.
A few minutes later, after being
challenged by my application, I began to repent and pray for more understanding
and my obedience. Then I wrote a summary
of my Prayer beside the letter P.
In the following is what was
actually written during my Journaling that day. Giving each Journal page a
title, helps me to remember its truth.
S - He who trusts in his own heart is a
fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
PROVERBS 28:26
O - Trusting in ourselves sets us up for
failure, because doing so can prevent our pursuing
the wisdom we need
from others.
perceptions of
people who may have different viewpoints than mine. Making this my
life's
practice will
prevent disasters of many kinds. Seeing from my own perspective only
- no
matter how good I
think it is - as a great resource for guidance will risk exposing myself and
those who
trust me to all sorts of danger.
P - Father, Forgive me for being
prideful. Help me be quick to remember there is much to learn
in many situations. Remind
me to ask questions at every opportunity and always seek You at
every juncture. In Jesus' Name, Amen! ..
So there it is, an example of how
simple this kind of Journaling can be when coupled with prayer. It is amazing how the truth we meditate upon will
change our lives. ..
JAMES 1:5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
