THINKING AND SPIRITUAL LIFE
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Devotion 7 of 12
                                        
THE NECESSITY OF FOCUS
     Let us take this matter a little further. Meditation postulates a FOCUS--centering on something. It also assumes a PREFERENCE for the thing being considered. Make no mistake about this, you will not be able to meditate long on something distasteful to you, or upon which you do not focus. How precisely this is expressed in the Psalmist's identification of the godly individual. "But his  delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night" (Psa 1:2). "I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways" (Psa 119:15).  "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes" (Psa 119:48).

      So eager was the Psalmist to spend extended time thinking about God's Word, that he exclaimed, "Mine eyes prevent  (awake before) the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy word" (Psa 119:148). Using that criteria, church membership roles would be reduced significantly. How many people do you hear testifying of awakening in the night to think about the Word of God? As many as meditate!

Thinking about the Lord
     The Psalmist also meditated upon the Lord Himself. To him, the Word of God provoked the consideration of the God of the Word. "When I remember THEE upon my bed, and meditate on THEE in the night watches" (Psa 63:6). How blessed to contemplate our Creator, Savior, and Sustainer! Such considerations will produce  wholesome talk! As it is written, "I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings" (Psa 77:12). And, why do men NOT "talk" of the Lord's "doings" It is because they do not meditate on all His work! 

     At this point it is necessary to make an observation about "excessive devotion to books," which, says Solomon "is wearying to the body" (Eccl 12:12, NASB). True spiritual scholarship includes more than extensive exposure to the writings of men. Meditation is a vital part of learning, and must not be neglected by the people of God--particularly those who feed the flock of God. In my judgement, preachers should spend much more time in meditation than is common. 
                
Unshaken by critics
     Meditation was so precious to the Psalmist that personal attacks upon him did not dissuade him from it. Even when criticized and maligned by those in high places, he refreshed his spirit by meditating upon the statutes of the Lord. "Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes" (Psa 119:23). When men wronged him without a cause, he continued to  think of the precepts of the Lord. "Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt  perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in Thy precepts" (Psa 119:78). His love for the Word of God transcended the hurt generated by thoughtless men. No wonder he confessed, "My meditation of him shall be  sweet: I will be glad in the LORD" (Psa 104:34). And again, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day" (Psa 119:97). Far better to revel in the Word of the King than lament because men speak against you, and accuse you falsely!

     The remarkable "drop-out" rate of preachers and teachers indicates their meditation was not at an acceptable level.

Wiser than his teachers
     Meditation caused the writer of the 119th Psalm to be wiser than those that taught him. "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation" (Psa 119:99). He was not being presumptuous in making this assessment, nor vaunting himself above his peers. His point was that clarification came when he entered the sacred room contemplation. Why was this so? Simply because he was in accord with the Author of all knowledge in his meditation. Meditation upon the Word of God brings Him into the scenario.

     It is true that God speaks through people; i.e., apostles,  prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These are "ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man" (1 Cor 3:5). No person of God will despise the teachers who declared the Word of God to them. But neither will they rely exclusively upon them. In their meditation, they will join with the Lord, and be "taught by God" (John 6:45). It is the meditation of the heart that produces spiritual understanding. As it is written, "the meditation of my heart  shall be of understanding" (Psa 49:3).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire to be capable of deep and profound meditations upon You, Your word, and Your works. Give me grace to be a productive thinker, in Jesus' name.

-- TOMORROW: CONSIDER MY MEDITATION --