Sometime I may try to tell what has been going on the last ten days since I have “journaled” in my blog. I have realized that it takes quite a chunk of time, but it is definitely worth it because it helps me meditate on God’s Word and communicate better with God in prayer, through the day and the night, too.
The following is what I wrote in reponse to a question my son posed on his blog, Stranger in a Strange Land.
“If you were stranded on a desert island what book of the Bible would you bring with you and why? I finally chose Psalms. Laurie chose James or Isaiah. Leave your comments below. You can even do it annonymously if you must.
posted by Jonathan Blundell at jdblundell.blogspot.com/2006/08/todays-assignment.html”>9:33 PM
“Thirty to thirty-five years ago I heard Billy Graham recommend reading five chapters in Psalms each day and one chapter in Proverbs each day as a minimum Scripture reading plan. (That completes both books once a month.) He said to read the Psalms because they can teach us how to relate to God and the Proverbs because they can teach us how to relate to other people. God has used that plan to greatly bless me and help me know Him better since then. I have read through the Bible a fair number of times and have other favorite books of the Bible. If I was indefinitely limited to one book for an indefinite time, I would choose Psalms.
God has used it as an almost daily inspiration to me through the last 30 to 35 years. The Psalms contain many scriptures related to Christ, ranging from his first coming, his life and death on this earth, the end times, Christ’s second coming, the millenium, and eternity with Him in heaven, or apart from him in hell. There are many major themes of theology represented there. I have been thinking of doing a study to annotate how the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith is presented in the Psalms.
I remember Pastor W. A. Criswell preaching that the scarlet thread (of salvation) runs through every book of the Bible. I do not remember all of the specifics in Psalms, but I am confident the doctrine is plainly and completely presented in the Psalms.
The reference, Psalm 34:3, is inscribed on the inside of my wife’s and my wedding bands, along with our initials and the date.
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
I will have worn that wedding band thirty years ago on this next October 1. I repeat,
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Hallelujah! Thank you, Father, for my wonderful wife! Praise the name of Jesus! You are my wonderful Lord, my Savior, and my soon-coming King! Amen! Amen!”