“I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.” (Psalms 119:15)
Meditation is a manner of thinking or dwelling on a thing. The cults of the world meditate. One meditation is in a way to hypnotize oneself into emptying the mind by a repetition of a mantra. This type of meditation is very dangerous because instead of peace, the mind will be open to all kinds of wickedness. Some say they get peace, but it’s a counterfeit of real peace.
Meditation is an important part of Judaism and Christianity. It’s not emptying the mind but filling the mind with God’s Word. Its intention is not to bring peace, but understanding of what God has said and have communion with Him. It’s reflecting on what God has said. It’s pondering it’s meaning and concentrating on its nuances. It’s a holy practice in which we allow the Holy Spirit to speak and to teach us. And it’s part of prayer.
In prayer, we worship God. We use the Word of God to worship Him recalling His Name, His Word and works and exalting Him for Who He is, exalting Him for what He has said and exalting Him for what He has done. It’s a kind of meditation that draws us to God and brings His Presence near. We confess our failures, knowing that He has forgiven us through the Blood of the Lamb. As we concentrate on His forgiveness, we are meditating on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, His victory over death and sin and His love for us so much that He became our substitute. A conversation ensues with the Lord. Our thankfulness flows out of this, then we are able to petition the Lord.
There should also be a time of solitude away from the world’s clamor to meditate on His Word. This is also a kind of prayer. But its purpose is to get understanding of the things of God. It’s a kind of prayer because the Holy Spirit will communicate to us the secrets of God. As natural people, we are always thinking. We think on what has happened, what we have said, what was said to us and on what we should do and say and what will happen next. Our thoughts are consumed with these thoughts continually. But the benefit from turning our thoughts to God’s Word outweighs whatever else we are thinking about.
In Psalms 119:15, David writes that meditating on God law and His commandments will give him understanding of God’s way. This gives us insight into the value of meditating on God’s Word. Meditation gives us understanding. Merely hearing God’s Word or reading it is not enough. We must think on it. Charles Spurgeon that renown English preacher, made an observation that merely putting food in your mouth will not nourish the body. It has to be digested. Meditation is much the same way. We must digest it for it to nourish the human spirit.
David wrote much about meditating on God’s Word or law as He called it. His times alone with the sheep as a shepherd taught him to meditate. The importance is that he meditated on God’s law. Later, when did he find time to meditate? “Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.” (Psalms 119:148) David meditated at night. Ancient Jews divided the night into three night watches of four hours each. David writes that he doesn’t sleep during the night watches. So, he was awake anywhere from a minimum of four hours at night to meditate. How many of us awake during the night and can’t go back to sleep? What a perfect time to meditate on God’s Word. All is quiet. And there are no distractions from the world.
In Psalms 1:2 David writes that the man who meditates on God’s law, day and night, will be blessed in keeping from falling in with wicked men, will be strengthened spiritually, bear his intended fruit and will prosper. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3) There are times we can find during the day, little stolen moments, in which we can meditate on God’s Word.
Our thoughts on things other than God’s Word may bring us frustrations, embarrassment or regret. But meditating on God’s Word will keep us from sin. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” (Psalms 119:11) It gives us wisdom. “O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalms 119:97-99) And meditating on God’s Word will make us prosperous. God commanded Joshua to meditate when Joshua was about to take the responsibility of bringing in the Israelites to the Promised Land. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) It’s beneficial to meditate on God’s Word.
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