"Look ... they neither sow, reap or gather into barns ... yet Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Matthew 6:26
What is meditation?
Scriptural meditation is far different from those that use the carnal mind to focus on matters of self apart from God and His Word. The Hebrew word for meditation is Hagah, which means to murmur, ponder, imagine, mutter-speak, study, reflect.
As you meditate, the Holy Spirit can anchor the Word in your heart to bring forth revelation and application that will produce victory.
Meditation and the Tongue
As Joshua led the children of Israel to take the land of Canaan, he never lost a battle.
Never!
Why? Because he was obedient to do what God said.
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8
Meditate day and night on God’s Word. Impossible you say?
No, it’s not impossible. Start where you are. Know that the outcome will produce victory in your life.
Your will is stronger than a chaotic thought life. If your thoughts are not used to being disciplined, remember that every morning is a brand new beginning with God. His Spirit that resides in you is your personal trainer to help you overcome and to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The Plan
Read scripture with the intent to do what it says every morning.
The Teacher will always “highlight” something as you study God’s Word. Write it down in your journal and then on a slip of paper. Put it where you can see it: in the kitchen, on your bathroom mirror, TV or computer, or perhaps even in your shoe! Think about the Word; mutter it quietly here and there as you go about your work and daily activities. Praise God that it is working even when you go to sleep.
Think you’re too busy?
This is just an excuse. That decision will produce something negative in your life and affect other people. I’m sure the Israelites were very happy that Joshua didn’t rely on excuses.
Joshua was the leader of 2-3 million people and certainly had lots of responsibilities every day, yet we know he meditated on God’s Word day and night because God gave him continual victories over all opposition.
Meditation Releases Kingdom Power
There’s power in God’s Word, but that power remains dormant until the seed is deposited into the rich and fertile heart of a Believer that has renewed his mind and disciplined his tongue.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Proverbs 18:21
“Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.
"So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the people had revenge upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
“And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the LORD heeded the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN: WORRY
Jesus said: “You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
"Therefore do not worry, saying,
'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
"For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:24-33
Seeking God’s Kingdom, of which you and I are now citizens—see Philippians 3:20—requires us to adhere to a new set of rules: the King’s way of doing things. Unlike a democracy which we Americans are used to, God’s Kingdom is a theocracy. Adherence to His leadership will produce victory.
Faith, hope and love are always at the foundation of our Father’s Kingdom. Obedience is the key to the blessed life.
Fear is not from God’s Kingdom but is earthly and devilish.
Worry is meditating, setting your thoughts day and night on satan’s threats, lies and deceptions. Worry is faith in what satan says he’s going to do.
This is where the rubber meets the road, Saints. Who will we put our trust in?
Worldly Influence
The Gentiles are captive to a system that has to provide for all of their own needs: money, food, clothing, shelter, etc.
We belong to a Kingdom that will provide for our every need if we seek first His Kingdom, (Psalm 103:19,) and His ways of living.
Why should we allow the Gentiles to captivate our thoughts? Be careful what you read, watch and listen to on TV, movies, music, news, etc. Don’t ever watch anything that causes you fear.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,
that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron … “ 1 Timothy 4:12
Beware, brethren!
SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM: The Kingdom of Love
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new …
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ … for He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love … Colossians 1:13
“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:17-18
“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:3-4
THINK—MEDITATE—ON THESE THINGS:
“Rejoice in the Lord always … “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
“Finally, brethren,
- whatever things are true,
- whatever things are noble,
- whatever things are just,
- whatever things are pure,
- whatever things are lovely,
- whatever things are of good report,
- if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy;
- meditate on these things.
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Life Applications for Perilous Times: Do Not Worry!
Meditating on God’s Word will renew and guard your mind and heart which is absolutely necessary the closer we get to the coming of the Lord.
The blessed man in Psalm 1 meditates in His law day and night.
Psalm 119:97 reveals: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Paul gives Timothy instruction for church leadership: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” 1 Timothy 4:15
There are many more scriptures on meditation you might enjoy studying.
Challenge: Write Philippians 4:8 on a card and stick it on your television.
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