Thirsty

12 Weeks of Drinking Deeply from God's Word

Hannah C. Hall

• Publisher: Revell
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN:
  9781493434367
• Print ISBN:
  9780800740191
• Topic: Theology & Religion

Lots of devotionals offer short readings for busy women. Rarely do they dive deep enough into God's Word to stick with you and make a real difference in your day, let alone your life.

Thirsty isn't like other devotionals. Rather than breeze past a snippet of Scripture and a loosely related anecdote each day, this unique devotional focuses your attention on one short passage of Scripture for an entire week, encouraging you to memorize, understand, and apply its truth to your life. After 12 weeks of these rich, deep dives into God's Word, you'll find your soul restored and your life changed.

If you long for a closer relationship with God despite your packed schedule, discover how you can drink deeply from the well of Scripture in just 20 minutes a day.

Week 1: Psalm 1:1–3

Day 1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

PSALM 1:1–3

Not too many years ago, I was a dedicated disciple of what author Jen Wilkin refers to as the “Pinball Approach” to Bible reading.1 Unsure of what to read each day and not disciplined enough to plan it out beforehand, I’d randomly open the Word and pick whatever Scripture my eyes landed on. The next day I’d do the same.

I’d pinball from passage to passage without any thought to where I was headed or where I had been. It was a brilliant way to ensure that my daily Bible reading had little to no impact on my daily life.

I was the person James described as a hearer of the Word but not a doer (James 1:22). You know, the gal who looks at herself in the mirror but then walks away and immediately forgets about the spinach nestled in her teeth. Why bother looking if I’m not going to be changed by what I see?

Trouble was, my problem went deeper than just being forgetful.

I was moving too fast through Scripture and not meditating on what I was reading. I wasn’t wrestling with the truths I was discovering or checking my heart to see if I believed them. I certainly wasn’t allowing the Holy Spirit time to reveal my sin and change me.

I was checking “Daily Bible Reading” off my list and assuming that was enough.

It wasn’t. And before long, the lack of spiritual nourishment in my life began to show.

I love that one Hebrew word for “meditation” (hagah) is the same as a Hebrew word translated “growl” in Isaiah 31:4—like a lion roaring over its prey, establishing its possession of it, undaunted by any distractions.2 I wanted this. I fought for this. This is mine.

Though it may sound boring or uncomfortable at first, meditating on Scripture is a fearsome thing in a believer’s life. It’s being so hungry for truth that we fight for it. Take possession of it. Believe it. We make it ours. And we’re changed.

It’s an intentional pursuit with Christ as its prize.

It won’t be easy.

But let’s try it anyway, shall we?

Let’s slow down and savor this together. God’s Word is absolutely worth the fight.

1. Write Psalm 1:1–3 on a note card and work on memorizing it this week. Hiding the Word in your heart will prove to be a beneficial and long-lasting companion to your time of meditation.
2. Think about the connection between the Hebrew word for “meditation” and a lion’s growl. How does this change your perspective on Scripture meditation?

Day 2

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

PSALM 1:1–3

I recently sprained my ankle. I was jogging, it was dark, and I was on a dirt road. (Upon reflection, it’s not the most brilliant combo ever.)

I used to think that skunks and stray dogs were my greatest threats on my morning runs, but my main problem has turned out to be far less exciting.

Potholes. Those suckers will sneak up on you.

That day, I let my eyes stray off the path directly in front of me—the small area illuminated by my headlamp—and I paid for it.

Our psalmist, David, also knew the hazards of taking his eyes off the road. “Your word,” he sang, “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).

I know now what David knew then. It’s dangerous out there in the world without some illumination.

David had only the first five books of the Bible to read—which are called “the Law” or “Torah.” Torah means “direction” or “instruction.”

David valued these directions from the Lord so much that he tells us in our verses this week that the man who delights in them and meditates on them is blessed.

“Blessed” here isn’t some generic hashtag or cultural catchphrase. It’s not referring to material or financial success either. Rather, “blessed” is an exclamation of joy that means “Oh, how happy!” or “Oh, the best!”1

As in, Oh, how happy are we when we delight in God’s instruction. Oh, the best it is for those who meditate on God’s Word.

To David, the Law wasn’t some dreary list of rules to follow or study begrudgingly. He delighted in it.

I confessed to a friend once that I didn’t know how to make myself suddenly start loving my daily Bible reading, and she reminded and reassured me that I could ask God for anything—including that he would help me delight in his Word.

It’s a prayer worth praying and one I’m fairly certain God loves answering.

He certainly did for me.

Oh, how happy it is that we have the whole of Scripture to give us instruction, light the dark paths ahead of us, refresh us with God’s love, and point us, again and again, to Jesus.

We are blessed, indeed.

1. Do you delight in reading God’s Word, or does it feel like a chore to you? Ask God to give you a desire for his Word. Trust him that he will.
2. Think about what we consider “blessed” to mean and what God calls “blessed.” Be honest—are you disappointed? Ask him to help you delight and find joy in his deeper, better version of “blessed.”

Day 3

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

PSALM 1:1–3

An empty-nester friend of mine was recently reflecting on the long days at home with a growing family. “You just gotta keep slinging chow,” she said with a laugh.

I laughed too . . . but not quite as hard as she did. It hit a little too close to home, you know?

As soon as I clean the kitchen, it’s time to cook again. My people are always eating. Three times a day. It’s ridiculous.

Though I’m certain that serving my family is my primary calling right now, there are moments in this season when I wonder what—other than temporarily full bellies—I am producing here. Is there going to be any fruit from all this work? Why can’t I see it yet? When, if ever, will all this labor pay off?

David, I think, must have understood my frustration.

He lived in a dry, arid land. Because rainfall wasn’t a guarantee, fruit trees needed to be purposefully planted near a water source. These healthy trees could then grow to produce delicious food for people to enjoy.

But it certainly didn’t happen immediately.

Newly planted fruit trees can take years to bear their first crop. Before those blossoms form, trees will appear to be barren and unproductive. Fruitless.

This time of barrenness is necessary in the life cycle of the tree. It’s not an indication that the tree isn’t healthy, just that bearing fruit requires maturity. And maturity takes time. Good fruit takes time.

I can be so impatient. I hustle and strive to be productive at home or in ministry and then expect to see the fruits of my labor immediately. Yet we all know how disappointing it is to bite into a firm peach or a green banana. You just can’t rush good fruit. It’s always best enjoyed in season. Not too early. Not before it’s ready.

While we wait to see the fruit in our marriages, our jobs, our children, or our ministries, purposeful planting in the Word is necessary. Jesus said, “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4).

After we’ve been faithful to feed ourselves off of God’s Word in the waiting, fruit will come at just the right time. And it will be beautiful. Lovely. Satisfying.

Faithfulness yields fruitfulness. So hold fast, beloved. Good fruit cannot be rushed.

1. Are you in a time of waiting? What can you learn about God in times of waiting that you don’t necessarily learn in times of fruitfulness?
2. The funny (or frustrating?) thing about fruit is that it’s not grown for the tree to enjoy. It’s always meant for someone else. Read Galatians 5:22–23 about the fruit of the Spirit. If this fruit is not for us, who must God have in mind to benefit from our seasons of fruitfulness?

Day 4

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of w...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Week 1: Psalm 1:1–3
• Week 2: 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Week 3: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
• Week 4: 2 Chronicles 20:12
• Week 5: John 15:5
• Week 6: Nahum 1:7
• Week 7: 1 Peter 3:3–4
• Week 8: Proverbs 19:21
• Week 9: Romans 8:1–2
• Week 10: Nehemiah 8:10
• Week 11: Colossians 3:1–3
• Week 12: Romans 15:13
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• About Hannah
• Back Ads
• Back Cover