Meditating Upon God

[Coconut]

Meditating upon God is a major factor in hearing from God.

Some Factors Of Preparation For Meditation


Be Patient = "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalms 27:14). God does not always answer us immediately when we call upon Him. Sometimes we have to wait to hear from God. God is not instant coffee. Neither is He a dish to pop in the microwave for a minute and pop out. Remember that Daniel waited for 21 days before he received an answer from God.

Be Still = "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalms 46:10). In today's society, this seems to be one of the hardest things to do. Sometimes, I have to turn off the computer, close the door, and even close my Bible to hear from God. That was what I had to do to begin this study. God would not even allow me to write the thoughts down until He finished revealing them to me.

Have a clear conscience = "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16). "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalms 24:3-4). If we don't have a clear conscience, when we get still, the issues of our conscience will arise to the surface and keep us from hearing from God.

Have a disciplined mind = "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13). This is a picture of someone putting on a belt to hold up our pants. We need to discipline our minds to keep them from wondering here, there, and everywhere. This also take practice.

Be discerning = "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). We have a responsibility to grow in discernment. The more we learn of the Word, the more we should grow in discernment.

Be on Guard = "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). A totally opened mind is much like an open window. It can also let dust or bugs into the house. We are to be careful of what thoughts we entertain.

Be Receptive = "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Luke 11:10). God offers revelation to us, but we must be willing to receive it. As a counselor, I give counsel. However, I can not force anyone to receive it.

Be Expectant = "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). When we stop to meditate and focus our attention upon God, we should expect God to respond. Some people never expect to hear from God, so they don't stop to meditate.

Have a Quiet Spirit = "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Peter 3:4). It is amazing of all the things that I CAN think about even when I stop to meditate. Sometimes I just have purpose to be quiet so that I can hear from God.

Be Alert = "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (I Peter 4:7). The word "watch" is often associated with the word "prayer" in Scripture. It mean to be alert! There are times when I stop long enough to meditate and become extremely sleepy. If this occurs, I may have to take a nap before I can be alert enough to receive anything from God.

Live in Peace = "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). If we are in conflict with someone and stop to meditate, then the conflict will immediately pop into our minds. We need to purpose to live in peace that we can be free to meditate upon God and His Word.

Be a Listener = "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). We can be still without listening. We also can do a lot of praying (talking to God) and still not listen to hear from God. We have to purpose to listen.

Be Diligent = "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth" (Hosea 6:3). God usually nudges me in a general direction. Then I have to take a step of faith to move in that direction before He gives me more specific revelation. We should be diligent to follow the leading that God give to us.

Be Humble = "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life" (Proverbs 22:4). "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (I Corinthians 8:2). If we, in our minds, already know it all, why should God bother to give us His revelation? We must come to God as an empty vessel, ready to be filled by Him.

Be Yielded = "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Often, God's desire is to give us direction. However, we must be willing to yield our wills to Him and obey. Usually, we must purpose to obey even before He gives us direction.


-notes from Basil Frasure

 

[Coconut]

What The Scripture Says About Meditation

Joshua 1:8 "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."

Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

Psalm 2:1 "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" {imagine: Heb. meditate}

Psalm 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Psalm 77:12 "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."

Psalm 119:15 "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

Psalm 119:23 "Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes."

Psalm 119:48 "My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes."

Psalm 119:78 "Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts."

Psalm 119:148 "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word."

Psalm 143:5 "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."

I Timothy 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Psalm 119:147 "I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word."

Psalm 130:6 "My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning."

Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."

II Corinthians 10:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Acts 10:19 "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee."

Matthew 1:20 "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." (the word "studieth" means to mediate).

I Thessalonians 4:11 "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you."

II Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Joshua 6:2 "And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."

I Samuel 12:16 "Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes."

 

[Coconut]

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. Psalm 119: 15

What is Meditation?


What is meditation in the context that I am using? It is not an ethereal state where my mind is out of touch with reality. Jesus said that, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…" (Luke 10:27). So my mind is always with me and I am quite conscious of all my thoughts and feelings in that time.
In the context that I am using, meditation is the contemplative reading and reflection upon his word. It's a slow and deliberate repetitive reading of a passage as I ask God to confirm it in my life and to speak to me through the passage, a pondering upon His thoughts, as recorded in the written word. And it is the application of that passage to my life as God speaks to me through the very pages of those ancient writings. And He does speak, as I will share here regarding situations in my own life.


Moreover, in the cases where I find a particularly compelling passage, I write it down and put a copy in my pocket. I re-read it many times throughout the day and try to commit it to memory. I often meditate upon a passage and memorize it in the process. I also make this a family affair. Along with my wife and four children, we rise daily to recite, from memory, the passages upon which we are meditating. In that manner, I find that the text becomes a part of my thought process, a part of my life.


Some view my practice of carrying scripture texts in my pocket as being childish. Well, they can think as they like, but carrying Scriptures in my pocket is not childish for me. It is a practice that I have maintained for nearly 25 years and I will continue that practice until the day I am promoted to the presence of Jesus. And may you too be so engrossed in this practice to experience the blessing that results.


I will simply share my experiences wherein the direct speaking and blessing of God has come from the pages of the Bible. Through that text, God speaks. Certainly God can speak in many ways including through people, through experiences, and through a "still small voice." However, for me, I often find myself hearing what I want to hear through that "still small voice" because my discernment is poorly refined. Therefore, unless I use the Scriptures to gauge the authenticity of God's voice in a situation, I find frustration. When God speaks through the Scriptures, it becomes a bastion of God's voice of counsel and direction.


From these personal examples here, I hope you will embark on the practice of hearing God's voice through the Bible. God does speak. And in obedience to that, there is great blessing.

I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. (Psalm 119: 16)

- excerpt from Faith of a Scientist
http://www.jmtour.com/wordofGod.htm

 

[Gideon]

Joshua 1:1-8

 

[Coconut]

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide."
-- Genesis 24:63

Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in
idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom,
they would find more profitable society and more interesting
engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such
charms for them. We should all know more, live nearer to God, and grow
in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation chews the cud and extracts
the real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus
is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while
engaged in private musings; many others have found their best beloved
there.

Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study
hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from
the soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue
expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching,
and when the eye is divinely opened, that teaching flashes upon the
mind far more vividly than from written books. Our little rooms are
neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the
fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that all
created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be
hallowed.

Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil
over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield
to the joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites
our wonder, and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If
the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader,
if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not,
the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or
in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet him.

Charles Spurgeon