How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3This book of the law 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; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Joshua 1:8
Lately I've been pondering the importance of meditating on God's Word. Often I will take time to read the Bible in the morning, only to forget what I've read as the day goes on. The following quote by John Piper caught my attention - I love the word picture he paints regarding meditation!
"Meditation is like taking a bit of Scripture and like a lozenge putting it under the tongue of your heart and sucking on it and allowing the juices to drip down and awaken the taste buds of your soul.”
"Meditation is like taking a bit of Scripture and like a lozenge putting it under the tongue of your heart and sucking on it and allowing the juices to drip down and awaken the taste buds of your soul.”
One thing I've purposed to start doing is to try and take a verse - or even just a short phrase - from what I read in the morning, and hang on to it through the day. I sing it as I'm getting ready for my day...repeat it as I drive to work...pray and think about it when I get a chance...not purposing to memorize it, (although that may happen) but to let it really sink into my soul and do it's work there.
Do you meditate on Scripture? If so, how?
5 comments:
Most definitely....since I'm doing a Bible reading plan, the one the esv brings I've been reading from different books, and they're all history...except when I hit a genealogy...So it pretty much gets stuck on me...and whenever there is something that catches my attention I write it down, or whenever I don't understand a word or something I write it down a look up several commentaries..but what really helps fixate what I've read is reading the study notes afterward...Although I must say that sometimes I do forget what I read the day before, that usually happens when I've fallen behind on my reading and have to catch up and read really quick through those 4 different books...One advice pray before you read scripture AND out of the things that stood out most from what you read write it down.
another tip? discussing what you read during the day with another person.
another one--> Thinking about how what you've read challenges you in your walk...for example Joseph's story which I'm almost done reading...he's hated by his brothers because of his father's preference of him over his brothers and ever more because of his dreams...and the plan to kill him although in the end they just end up selling him as a slave. The Lord blesses him while at Potiphar's, and when Potiphar's wife tries to seduce him after all he's been through (being hated by his brothers, plotted to murder him, selling him as a slave) he tells Potiphar's wife that he wouldn't dare touch her because he'd be sinning against...who? his master? nope, well obviously yes but that's not who he mentions...he says he'd be sinning against God!
That's challenging right there, because how many times do we fail to trust God when we are going through minor "strife"...yet Joseph after having gone through all that trusted in the Lord!
And a final tip, how does what you're reading fit into the Cross, our redemption story?
And it doesn't end there...he was thrown into jail..but the scriptures tell us that the Lord was with him at all times...and then Joseph makes a baffling statement when he is reconciled with his brothers: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones."
Joseph recognizes God's hand in all he went through and offered his brothers the most unexpected thing: grace! what an amazing picture of Christ's work on the cross...we transgressed against Christ, and sold him for nothing, and put him to death...but what man intended for evil, to kill Christ, God used for good: to pay the infinite debt we ourselves would not have been able to pay ever...and in that God showed us His amazing grace to those who believe...
Thanks for your comments Rita! Great thoughts. You've inspired me to try and share something I learned with someone each day.
I love Joseph's story!! My favorite verse in that account is the one you mentioned - "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." When I read stories like this in the Bible, I wonder what things God is working out in our lives that we don't realize at the time...what an amazing God we serve!
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I discovered today after i had a discussion with a gentleman i admire for his commitment to God.
From all indication it seams that he has full confidence in what he believes Amen to that. Although i was pretty sure that there are some things he was not correct on.
The very text he quoted above which has been the verses i am constantly going back to says :
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
I am reminded that The Book,Greek for Bible,is not only the manual for daily living but the instructions for salvation.That is the purpose and process that Jesus himself went through to redeem us sinful man from the world of sin.
Thanks for reminding us of the power of the word.
I love that description of meditation.
Yes I do meditate on God's Word but not as much as I should. I was just thinking that I do so much better when I have a topic to study or seek out an answer to. Like you, I tend to kind of forget what I read about. Or just not carry it with me through the day.
When I am teaching, or preparing to teach something then I meditate. I continually think and pray about the topic along with the scriptures that apply to it. The bottom line is that I'm better at meditating when I'm teaching than when I'm learning.
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