Scripture Meditations - W.F. Bell

DAILY MEDITATION
Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; I Timothy 4:15

We are told that "meditation" means "quiet thought, reflection; contemplation on sacred or solemn subjects, especially as a devotional exercise." To "meditate" is simply "to think quietly; engage in deep and serious thought." Synonyms are "ponder, muse."

How we need "holy" meditation in our busy world, with so much noise and so many things to distract us from study and prayer. Not that anyone can just sit and think, study and pray, all the time. We cannot. But, this makes a time of serious reflection, with deep and serious thought, all the more needful.

The sixty-six books of the Bible are given to us in God's gracious providence to reveal to us who He is, what man is, how God saves sinners through the work of Christ, how the Holy Spirit comes to indwell believers, and how we are to daily "deny" ourselves, "take up" our cross, and "follow" our Lord (Luke 9:23). No one can rightly do this apart from "meditating day and night" in God's words to us (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2). Paul clearly tells Timothy, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all" (I Timothy 4:15).

Everyone agrees that we should meditate. Our problem seems to be finding the time, or knowing exactly how best to do it. Personally, I have found that daily discipline is the key. We should rarely ever put the Bible on a shelf. Keep it out; keep it handy. If you don't do anything but look at one verse, that is keeping up "meditation" on a daily basis. Better yet, though, to take time to regularly read a portion of Scripture, giving thought to words and phrases, memorizing them if possible. This is "hiding" God's word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11), and is true meditation.

So, "meditate" now on this need of "daily meditation." Read and study the Scripture. Think about the words. Look at the contexts. Memorize portions that are especially meaningful to you, and that speak powerfully to you. Assuredly you will be able to say with the psalmist, "Oh, how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97). And, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Meditating in and upon God's Word means (first and foremost) that you also meditate upon the Person of Christ Jesus: "My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord" (Psalm 104:34). Fellowship with Christ is what the Christian life is all about. So daily let us be "looking to Jesus."

QUOTE FOR THE DAY
"We have no control over what people do about God's message, but we can see to it that they get it." Vance Havner