WATCHWORD:
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:4
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Constantly remind the people about these laws, and you yourself must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to obey all of them. For only then will you succeed. Joshua 1:8
Meditation:
Meditation
Meditation? Okay, what is meditation? Or, what does it mean to meditate? Or, still another, how do you meditate?
J.I. Packer in his book Knowing God, tells us that “Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God.” Wow, that seems complicated, very formal, and steeped in theological expertise.
For me, and probably many of you, meditation is far more peaceful, relaxed, and quiet, our minds focused on something read in the Scripture or other devotional thoughts. Often our time of meditation leads directly into our prayer conversation with the Lord.
Consider God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 — Keep the words of the Bible always on your lips; meditate on it so that you may be careful to do what is written in it. Then your days will be prosperous and successful. While this verse technically refers to the first five books of the Bible, we still apply this idea to meditating on other passages in the Bible. Meditating on God’s Word should be done frequently, with the overall purpose to enrich our understanding.
I believe that the Holy Spirit within each of us speaks to us in gentle whispers of thoughts and inspirations. Maybe it is during this time of pondering the gifts we have been privileged to have received that our purpose as a disciple of Christ is defined. Maybe certain lessons from Jesus are made clear for us, and we know that we are to “go and do likewise”. Or, we finally realize that everything belongs to God and we should not hold it too close, that we were given abundance to share, to meet a need, yet to be revealed.
In short, the time of meditation and pondering in the midst of our prayer-life is the most important time in our lives as followers of Christ. It is here that we pray that God would open our hearts and minds to the instructions of the Holy Spirit, graces coming directly from our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, quiet my heart during these moments alone with You. I want to focus on You, Lord, and to shut out all the distractions of the world. For these next few moments, it’s just you and me, God. You are Spirit, God who knows us so intimately. I like to imagine you sitting here beside me, because You are Emmanuel—always “with us.” As I think about the truths in your Word, may the meditation of my heart be sweet and honoring to you. I simply want you to empty me of self and fill me with your Holy Spirit.
I long for your presence, Lord. Narrow my thoughts to include only those things that are honorable, truthful, beautiful, pure, and praiseworthy. I ask for your wisdom to apply these truths to my life, all through the day. For you are worthy to be praised.
I’m asking you to guide me and teach me what you want me to know. Is there an action I need to take or a sin to forsake? Is there more for me to understand about your character? Help me personalize your message to my heart today. Your Word is powerful. I celebrate the strength and wisdom you will give me as glorify you.
I ask that you to speak to me through your Word and in these quiet moments together. Whisper or shout into my spirit, whatever I need. But most of all, receive my praise as I focus my thoughts only on you. I’m all yours, Heavenly Father, lead me with your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
