The new year starts today! Each day we’ll have some Old Testament and some New. If we read every day, we’ll end up reading the Old Testament once, and the New Testament twice.
But reading the whole Bible isn’t the goal. The goal is to have time in scripture every day. Maybe not the whole reading. And if we miss a day, don’t get discouraged. Aim for “more often than not” or in this case 4 times a week. That is more time that most people spend and I believe it will be impactful.
I am using the Life Journal reading plan, and part of that plan includes a journal entry. Feel free to comment that you did the reading, or you could ever post your own journal entry if you want! Here’s mine for today.
Scripture
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Genesis 3:19
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”
Observation
Two thoughts here. First, God declares we should eat bread. Yum. Second, that our root in the Universe is that of dust.
It seems that part of the curse of Adam was to remind him of his place in creation. I know that dust to dust, and that we’re just dust in the wind, are common notions. But to contemplate it, to have it as a reminder of God’s word to Adam as he was escorted from his Eden home…
Application
I’m a fan of the philosophy of Stoicism. The Apostle Paul was a contemporary of Seneca.
One of the tenants of Stoicism is: Memento Mori
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. . . .The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”
— Seneca, Moral Letters, 101.7b– 8a
This reminder, that we aren’t immortal, that life is finite, we are dust brings to mind these same thoughts.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for this new year with all the possibilities and opportunities to experience the life that You give me. Help me to count my days, to make an effort in each one to make a difference to those around me, and to take the opportunity to know You better and to do and say the things you would have me do and say. Help me to be teachable through this coming year. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading: Genesis 3-5; Luke 2