Deeper Still (Book Review)

In Deeper Still, Linda Allcock encourages us to pick up our Bibles and to “get inside the text”, realising that the Bible is not about “me, me, me” but “he, he, he”: true biblical meditation takes us to Christ.

She explains why delighting in ‘the Law’ is so important and how we can awaken our delight in the Lord through mediation (Chapter 8).

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5)

Linda says “We are to look back and remember who God is; then press forwards and enjoy the fulness of who he has made you to be” (p41).

Linda explains the process she goes through when she does her own Bible meditation, but it is not mechanistic; rather, is it warm, relational and heart-changing. Reading God’s Word in the way Linda describes will cause us to turn to the Lord (chapter 4) and then “look for truth as for treasure” (chapter 4), “turn our hearts to Christ” (chapter 5), and “learn the truth” (chapter 6).

We are to delight, obey, worship, then remember and live what we have read. Surely, we all want our Bible reading to impact us in this way and therefore glorify God.

Linda shares her own story of how she has grown in meditation of God’s word. She emphasizes the need to pray before reading and to ask loudly! She gives pointers of what helps her to remember creatively.

I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. (Psalm 119:174-176)

As I struggle with the restrictions in fellowship and church life during lockdown, I was refreshed and motivated to read my Bible more, to discover Christ in all the Scriptures, and to look forward to heaven and live a life that holds me fast (chapter 10).