Bible Reading: Psalm 38-40; Acts 23:12-35.
“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue” Psalm 39:3 (KJV)
The above focal scripture is a reflection of the power of meditation. The word ‘musing’ used in the test is defined by the Webster dictionary as ‘thoughtfully abstracted: Meditative’. It is another word that can used in place of meditation. The Psalmist was relating his meditative experience of his observance of the wicked and his desire to be silence and watch, but as he does meditate his heart began to be hot with words and ideas which began to burn within him like fire, the result was that he burst forth and spoke. We can also liken this to what happened at the beginning of creation. In Genesis 1:2b-3(KJV) the bible says , “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, let there be light: and there was light.” Take note that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. This is God’s Spirit incubating, brooding over the waters for the purpose of producing creation. The moving upon the face of the waters was proceeded with ‘and God said’, which was the outward effect of the brooding of the Spirit. Just as well described by the Psalmist who mused and his heart was hot within him and the fire burned and he spoke.
In Joshua 1:8 (KJV), the Almighty God admonished Joshua and by extension we also, “This book of the law shall not depart of thy mouth; but thou shall 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” In 1 Timothy 4:15(KJV), we are instructed to “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them: that thy profiting may appear to all” The two scriptures of Joshua 1:8 and 1 Timothy 4:15 agree that there is profiting and success in meditating on the word of God. The dictionary define meditation as an act of meditating. While meditate is defined to as ‘to engage in mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness’ It is also to engage in contemplation or reflection. It is to focus one’s thoughts on the word by reflecting on or pondering over.
The Greek word for meditate “Meletao” define it as ‘to carefully set your mind on something and then contrive. This means to practice in your mind. Meditation on God’s word will cause you to do what it says and propel you into action and the blessing is manifested in the doing (James 1:22-25). See yourself working in the realities of the Word and the visions it creates in your spirit. Begin to contemplate and reflect it in your mind all that the Word says and its application in your life. Contemplate on its effect on you in the realities of its practice in a real life situation. Begin to build your imagination and fulfilment around the contemplated word. Begin to build your future through the meditated word, begin to visualize God’s plan and purpose for your life through the incubation on the transformative Word of God as an architect who produces a masterplan for an edifice walk through the length and breadth of his structure by visualization and envisioning, in the same vein begin to see your glorious and beautiful manifestation of your life in the light of God’s word through meditation. When you begin to meditate on the greatness of God through His work, you will begin to respect the ways of God and consequently begin to draw near to Him. Constant meditation on the Word of God and observing to do those things you meditated upon will result in your profiting and prosperity.
My dear reader, ability to stay and meditate on God’ word starts with surrendering your life to Christ as your Lord and Saviour. It is then that you begin get attracted to His word which have the ability to build you up. “And now, brethtren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, help me to stay meditatively on your word as a lifestyle.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo