If you would a copy of this devotion e-mail below and I will get back to you soon.
Meditation
The lost art of the twentieth century is, in my opinion, meditation. We Americans are masters when it comes to activity…and entertainment…and planning…and preoccupation—but meditation? Forget it! Somehow, we have the mistaken idea that meditation demands hours and hours, that it is the by-product of leisure (of which most of us have very little) and even laziness.
True meditation, however, is not daydreaming. It is not letting our minds drift here and there, thinking about nothing, and humming some religious melody with our eyes half mast! Meditation is disciplined thought, forced on a single object or Scripture for a period of time. It is reflecting our minds to dig deeply into a word, a phrase, an idea or principle from God’s own Word. Meditation considers these things from every possible angle, with the purpose of getting insight, gaining practical benefit, and/or reaching some conclusion.
Meditation is not optional. The same Bible that commands us to “pray without ceasing,” to rejoice evermore, and “in everything give thanks”…also urges us to meditate. I find it interesting that this term appears no less than twenty times in the Word, with fourteen of those references occurring in the Psalms. In fact, the term only appears twice in all the New Testament—and in neither case is that the best translation. My point is this: meditation is essentially an Old Testament concept…and therefore understood from the viewpoint of its Hebrew origin.
Let me amplify. When you boil down the eighteen Old Testament verses that mention “meditate” or “meditation,” you discover that they come from one of two Hebrew words. The first is the term HAG-GAH, and the second, SEE-AAGH. Both these convey the idea of “musing” and “pondering” and, surprising though it may seem, both are terms used for voicing a complaint, or moaning during suffering. They also convey the idea of imagination. Broad terms, aren’t they?
Summing up these findings, I suggest that our meditation is to be broad enough to include imagination as we ponder God’s Word, and in keeping with the experience and trials He brings our way. In other words, we should link our lives with His Word in times of meditation.
Let me suggest five practical steps to follow in your development of this spiritual exercise. Let’s use Proverbs 3:5-6 as our example:
- Emphasize different words and phrases. In meditating on Proverbs 3:5-6, accent specific terms. “Trust in the Lord…” or “Trust in the Lord will all you heart.” Think about trusting… and consider the vastness of that word all. When you read the warning”…do not lean on your own understanding,” imagine the many ways you work things out for yourself.
- Paraphrase the verse. Make it personal. Rethink and restate the verse using your words in the process. For example: “Lord, you are commanding me to turn my life over to you completely—to stop my habit of worrying and working things out my way, like I frequently do.” Get the idea?
- Compare the verse with other Scripture. Reflect on this in relation to two or three other passages. Weave them into your thoughts. How about Psalm 37:4-5 or Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7? What an aid Scripture memory can be! It multiplies the value of meditation a hundredfold.
- Relate the verse to your present circumstance. Let’s suppose you are worried, you are restless and ill-at-ease within. You know it’s wrong, but you can’t seem to stop. You come across Proverbs 3:5-6, and decide to meditate on it. As you do, keep your problems in mind. Ask for insight from the Lord. List your worries one by one. Identify them. Look them over in the light of that passage. Tell Him your complaints as you meditate. Ask: “Am I ready to rely on God to take these things…or do I enjoy my worry?” Admit your weakness before Him.
- Use prayer as a follow-up. Never fail to conclude with prayer. Ask Him to transfer your thoughts into your life. Thank Him in advance for the change He will bring.
“This book…shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it…” (Joshua 1:8)
Deepening Your Roots
Joshua 1:6-8; Psalm 1:1-6; Psalm 119:97-104
Branching Out
- List your worries: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Now take point above and do the steps that was recommended.
- Take five minutes of your lunch hour today and meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6.
- Write out two verses you can meditate on this week.
