Solomon's Porch
June 15, 2003
Solomon's Porch
June 15, 2003
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A Lost Art. Meditation is a lost art for many Christians, but the practice needs to be cultivated again. Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others. 1 Tim 4:15-16 TLB I remember in my pre-teen days in Baltimore seeing the seven foot statue of the thinker by Rodan on the steps of the art museum. I wondered what he was supposed to be thinking about and why was his right elbow on his left knee with his chin resting on his right hand. It seemed a very uncomfortable and odd position. The first time I saw this statue, it made me think, What is he thinking about? Was he trying to tell me something? It seems that the human brain is constantly thinking about what is being seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted, and whatever activity is at the moment engaged, but what about when we take time to concentrate on just one thing? Are we then meditating? Just what is meditating? The dictionary gives - To reflect on; contemplate. To engage in contemplation especially of a spiritual or devotional nature. As we look into God's word we find meditation is very rewarding, even promising success (Josh 1:8) "Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed." Meditation is also to be a delightful occupation, (Ps 1:2) "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." And (Ps 119:97) O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Is Christian meditation any different? Not really except that Christian Meditation is obedient reflection on God's Word. Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He said that to succeed, Joshua must (1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy, (2) obey God's law, and (3) constantly read and study the Book of the Law - God's Word. To be successful, follow God's words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes - and his opinion lasts forever. Christian meditation is persistent reflection on God's Word. You can learn how to follow God by meditating on his Word. Meditating means spending time reading and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself how you should change so you're living as God wants you to live. Knowing and meditating on God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what he says. (Ps 1:2) They delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. But what is this law we are talking about? The Law of Moses is defined by the Rabbins, (a group of scholars qualified to interpret Jewish law) They divide the whole Mosaic law into 613 precepts, of which 248 are affirmative and 365 negative. The number of the affirmative precepts corresponds to the 248 members of which, according to rabbinical anatomy, the whole human body consists. The number of the negative precepts corresponds to the 365 days of the solar year or, according to the rabbinical definition the negative precepts agree in number with the 365 veins which, they say, are found in the human body. Hence their logic concludes that if on each day each member of the human body keeps one affirmative precept and abstains from one thing forbidden, the whole law, and not just the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) alone, is kept. The whole law is sometimes called by Jewish writers Theraiog, which word is formed from the Hebrew letters that are employed to express the number 613, all the Mosaic precepts. What did Jesus have to say about the law? (Matt 22:37-40) " Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." And again, (Galatians 5:14) " For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The psalmist also prayed that the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God's sight. (Ps 19:14). Meditation is a private devotional act, consisting in deliberate reflection upon some spiritual truth or mystery, accompanied by mental prayer and by acts of the affection and of the will, especially formation of resolutions as to future conduct. Meditation is a duty that ought to be attended to by all who wish well to their spiritual interests. It should be deliberate, close, and continuous (read Ps 1:2; and 119:97). The subjects that ought more especially to engage the Christian mind are: the works of creation. (Ps 19:1-6); the perfections of God (Deut 32:4); the character, office, and work of Christ (Heb 12:2-3); the office and operations of the Holy Spirit (John 15-16); the dispensations of Providence (Ps 97:1-2); the precepts and promises of God's words (Ps 119); the value, powers, and immortality of the soul (Mark 8:36); the depravity of our nature, and the grace of God in our salvation, etc. God's word offers an endless list of beautiful things and subjects to meditate upon besides those few mentioned, Try spending some quiet time alone in meditation on God's Word every day and teach those around you, especially young people to engage in this most rewarding enterprise. |
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