Hey! What's On Your Mind?

Over the past few weeks we considered the value of solitude; and I have suggested that meditation is a way of taking solitude to a whole other level.

If the idea of meditation is new to you, here is a working definition that I offered last week...

"Meditation is quietly reciting the words of Scripture aloud, or in your mind as a way to focus your attention, so that these words become a part of you."

What do you think? Is meditation intimidating? Does it sound boring? Or maybe you're wondering what's the point?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and is written in 22 sections, with eight verses in each. Each section corresponds with the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet...cool right? And almost every verse refers to God's word, law, command or precepts.

"Thy word I have hid in my heart, so I won't sin against thee." Ps 119: 11

That sounds like meditation to me. Hiding God's word in us, with the added benefit that we won't sin (of course a lifelong battle).

So the Bible itself suggests that reading, studying, learning, memorizing, and putting it all into practice is a critical part of living out our Christian faith.

For example, Paul says, "All-scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..." 2 Tim 3:16

So the Bible helps us know how to live; what to do and not to do.

Hebrews 4:12, says, "The word of God is alive and active..."

I believe this is true. For me, no other book compares to the Bible. When I pick mine up and read it, it just feels different. It is set apart from anything else I could read. I can hardly explain it, but I believe it.

I guess we have to meet the scriptures half way in the sense that, we must want the benefits of meditation on the Bible in the first place, if we are ever going to give it our attention.

I suggest that if you are a follower of Jesus, there is nothing more important than spending time with Him, reading the words of God, growing, changing and becoming more like Him.

I grew up with a couple of guys who know the Bible inside and out. They read it because they enjoy it, but neither of them would say they are a Christian...not even close.

So here's the thing...

Reading and studying the Bible, will not guarantee that you will mature in your faith.

But you will not mature in your faith if you don't read and study the Bible.

Where to Start

• Pick a verse or short paragraph to focus on.
• Ask God to help you understand what you are reading.
• Ask, what does the text mean, what does it reveal about God and His character.
• Ask, what does the text reveal about me. Do I need to believe something, change something, accept something, do something?
• Focus on a key word or phrase. Read it a few times; write it down. Sit with it. Go over it in your mind. Think about it throughout the day.

This morning I read Galatians 3. Galatians is a letter written by Paul to a group of churches where some were being drawn back to Old Testament law believing obedience to the law would justify them in the eyes of God.

So Paul writes to them to clarify what the true gospel is and challenge them to return to the gospel he already preached to them.

Paul says, "All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse..." Gal 3:10

Then writes, "Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because the righteous will live by faith." vs 11 (quoting Habakuk 2:10)

Then Paul writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Gal 3:13

So this morning I paused and read those words over and over...Jesus became a curse for us...for me. Wow! Why? So I can live. So I can be free from the curse of the law. And in order that the blessings given to Abraham (Genesis 12, 15 & 22) would come to the Gentiles. That's you and me.

Then my mind went to another verse.

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Just a few verses. Just a few words that take less than a minute to read, but worth pondering, meditating on, remembering and considering the implications of.

And now I will think about them throughout the day. In part because these words are so incredible; and potentially life-changing.

That to me, is meditation in a nutshell.

• Setting aside time to read God's Word.
• Focusing on a key word, phrase or verse.
• Reading it over a few times.
• Praying over it.
• Thinking about it and hiding it in my heart.

What do you think? Willing to give it a try?

I still haven't tackled the objection that the Bible is too hard to understand. More on that next time, I promise.

Until then - Dan