The following post is part of the Dwelling Richly series.
Today’s interview is with Lydia Brownback, an accomplished writer and speaker.
Her most recent book is a rich study on the Psalms that will help you meditate on the faithfulness and mercy of God.
I was encouraged from my interactions with Lydia. I really appreciate her gracious tone and evident dedication in getting to know God through His Word.
I know you will benefit from this interview just as I have!
What is your regular routine for Bible study?
Personal Bible study is my favorite daily activity. The coffeemaker is set for 4:50 AM, so when I get out of bed at 5:00, the coffee is ready. I take a mug to a comfy chair near a window and prepare my mind and heart to hear from him through his Word. There are many great Bible plans available, but over the years I’ve developed a routine that works best for me. It begins New Year’s Day when I read through Psalm 119. I begin every year with this psalm, seeking to capture the psalmist’s passion for Scripture and his desire for wholeheartedness.
I then map out a reading plan for the year, beginning with a Gospel, then basically alternating between Old Testament and New Testament books. I often wind up spending longer in one or two particular books than I’d originally expected. But this is why I like my plan—it’s flexible, and I never feel anxious about falling behind. So 2018 thus far has gone like this: Psalm 119, Mark, Exodus, 1–2 Timothy, then Haggai, and I’m just beginning 1 Peter. I read psalms whenever I’m traveling. Of course, it’s a good idea to read through the entire Bible consecutively, from beginning to end, since it’s the best way to lay hold of the overarching storyline of Scripture. But I do this separately from my devotional time in the mornings, perhaps reading a few chapters on Sunday afternoons.
How do you personally cultivate a desire to be in the Word?
Meeting with the Lord first thing every morning—I can’t imagine wanting to start the day any other way because of the spiritual blessings that have come through this hour. It’s a sacred time for me, and I safeguard it as much as possible. Not every woman has this option. I think of moms with young kids—finding an hour of solitude to read Scripture and pray can be a huge challenge. My singleness affords me this tremendous blessing. It’s so true that the more of him we know, the more of him we want. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps. 34:8).
What has been your driest time spiritually and how did you overcome that period?
I know there are many who suffer from these dry times and can’t seem to find a reason or a remedy, so I am grateful that I have not been tried in that way. The reason for my spiritual dry times is selfishness. Dry times have come when I’m overly focused on myself—when I approach the Lord and his Word with myself at the center, making it more about me than about him, beginning and ending with my feelings and thoughts and needs and wants. When this happens, the wonders of the Lord shrink; they fail to wow my heart. But the Spirit is faithful to expose my self-centeredness, and as he does, I seek to reorient my heart, and as that happens, the dryness disappears.
What resources have influenced you the most in giving you a desire and tools for dwelling in the Word?
There are certain books of the Bible that I’d shy away from were it not for study aids. So, for example, a few years ago when I chose to meditate on Ezekiel in the morning, I found a sound commentary to accompany my own reading. I’d spend time reading the passage and following the cross-reference trails in my study Bible, and then I’d read what the commentator wrote about it. It always enriched (and often corrected) my understanding, and by the time I finished (I spent 3 months in Ezekiel!), I was so excited about this book that had previously scared me off a bit. There are a lot of good commentaries for this purpose, those that are faithful to the biblical text and pastoral in tone. My goal is to have one good commentary on every book of the Bible, and as this personal library grows, I find myself turning to these resources constantly. It’s the most rewarding investment I’ve ever made.
What is one Scripture passage the Lord has especially impressed on your heart and why?
“Whom have I in heaven but you, and there is nothing on earth I desire besides you.” So writes the psalmist in Psalm 73:25. He got to this place following a season of doubt when his faith was tested. What turned him around was getting into the presence of God. It restored him to a right view of reality—and a right view of God. That right view enabled him to recognize God as everything. Once we’ve gotten a taste that Christ is so utterly better than anything else, nothing else will fully satisfy us ever again. I pray for a Psalm 73:25 heart, for the desire reflected in this verse, and that it would increasingly come to characterize me. I want to desire Christ above every other desire because he is the be-all, end all.
Lydia Brownback (MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary) is passionate about promoting biblical doctrine with a high view of God. She is the author of several books, including the On-the-Go series of devotionals, and a speaker at Christian conferences and events. More information about Lydia can be found at lydiabrownback.com.
Recommended Book: Sing a New Song: A Woman’s Guide to the Psalms
