Jump-Start to Meditate

A friend in Christ asked me to share some insights on meditation and this article may not be enough to cover every aspect of it. However, this should be enough to start. We may have often heard this phrase, Please meditate on Gods Word. Have we ever given a thought to what meditating on the Holy Scripture is? If not, lets begin studying now. Everything we do in the Christian life that is of any spiritual value would have to be done through our spirit man. Paul said that he served God by his spirit man. Romans 1:9 (AMP) 9 For God is my witness, Whom I serve with my [whole] spirit [rendering priestly and spiritual service] in [preaching] the Gospel and [telling] the good news of His Son, how incessantly I always mention you when at my prayers. In regular usage, the word meditation addresses silent thinking upon an object or a thought. and Think deeply or focus for a time for spiritual purposes or to relax. However, in studying the Bible, there is a facet of meditation that is not silent. In the Old Testament, there are various Hebrew words translated as `meditate but the primary one is the word `hagah. This word has been rendered as:
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1. `mutter - twice Isaiah 59:3 (AMP) 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. Isaiah 8:19 (AMP) 19 And when the people [instead of putting their trust in God] shall say to you, Consult for direction mediums and wizards who chirp and mutter, should not a people seek and consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? 2. `meditate - six times Joshua 1:8 (AMP) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Psalm 1:2 (AMP) 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. Psalm 63:6 (AMP) 6 When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. Psalm 77:12 (AMP) 12 I will meditate also upon all Your works and consider all Your [mighty] deeds. Psalm 143:5 (AMP) 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder the work of Your hands. Isaiah 33:18 (AMP) 18 Your mind will meditate on the terror: [asking] Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers? 3. `speak - four times Psalm 35:28 (AMP)
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28 And my tongue shall talk of Your righteousness, rightness, and justice, and of [my reasons for] Your praise all the day long. Psalm 37:30 (AMP) 30 The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks(Gk:dabar) with justice. Psalm 115:7 (KJV) 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. Proverbs 8:7 (NKJV) 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 4. `study - twice Proverbs 15:28 (AMP) 28 The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 24:2 (KJV) 2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 5. talk - once Psalm 71:24 (AMP) 24 My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long; for they are put to shame, for they are confounded, who seek and demand my hurt. 6. utter - once Job 27:4 (AMP) 4 My lips shall not speak untruth, nor shall my tongue utter deceit. It can be observed from these scriptures that meditation does aim to the use of mouth, as an instrument to mumble or express in speech Gods Word. Furthermore, when we study Gods Word without speaking, we are only utilizing our eyes to take in Gods Word. However, when we read Gods word aloud, we are using our eyes to see, our mouths to speak and our ears to hear. Three, instead of one of our senses, are actively taking in Gods Word.
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There is a place for silent meditation in the Christian life but I would rather define that as contemplation or reflection which is silent meditation. Philippians 4:8 (AMP) 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Let us meditate and ponder day and night on the scriptures: Psalm 1:2 (AMP) 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. Deuteronomy 6:7 (AMP) 7 You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. The Israelites were told to bind them to their hands and have them as frontlets before their eyes - a symbol of taking and acting Gods Word out in their daily lives, and a symbol of visualizing the Word every day. Deuteronomy 6:8 (AMP) 8 And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes. Confess aloud the promises of Gods Word to yourself every day. They have been personalized for you. Paul exhorted Timothy to meditate on `these things 1 Timothy 4:15 (NKJV) 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. When we study what `these things mean, we can see that Paul is referring to `the words of faith and of good doctrine.

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1 Timothy 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:6 (NKJV) 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. Final Word I pray this article with scriptures would give you a jump-start to meditate on the Holy Scriptures. As your inner man is strengthened, you will learn and gain more insights into Gods Holy Word. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and teacher. In Christ, Godwin Sequeira

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