Meditating on God's Word

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    Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

    What is meditation?
    · Pondering the deep things of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit in his word.
    · It brings life to the letter of the law
    · It brings personal truth to every person
    · It speaks to our spirit rather than to our intellect (Hebrews 4:12)
    · It is a prayerful review of scripture (1 Timothy 4:15)
    · It is worshiping God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24)


    Some people have told me that they don't get a great deal out of reading their bible. They have been on programs to read the bible in one year, or have read the New Testament 10 times, and it's still the same stuff, no new revelation. I liken meditation on God's word to a walk in the woods. You can take the same 20 minute walk on the same trail, through the same woods every day, and pretty soon, you find the walk to be a bit boring - it's always the same trees, the same hills, the same bushes. Instead of taking that twenty minute stroll, if you were to walk about five minutes and then sit quietly on a log for the next fifteen to observe what is there, the woods would come alive before your very eyes. Small creatures like squirrels, rabbits or chipmunks would begin to appear. You would notice the different songs of each species of bird, or perhaps you will see an army of ants busily building an anthill at you feet. Similarly, if we read the bible in much the same way that we read a novel, we will miss all of the nuggets of wisdom that God has placed there for us to find. God will reveal a great deal about himself thought his Word, if we would but take the time to meditate on his word. In this study, you will learn some practical ways to meditate on God's Word.

    How do we meditate?

    1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal God's truth to you -
    "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5

    2. Memorize scripture -
    Example: "…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Mathew 4:4)

    3. Personalize scripture -
    Example: "Lord, I shall not live by bread alone but by Your every word."

    Romans 6:1-2 Romans 6:1-2 Personalized
    What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
    		 What shall I say then? Shall I continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall I, who am dead to sin, live any longer therein?


    4. Repeat the verse and consider the full meaning of each word -
    Example:
    Man shall not live by bread alone - all mankind, this is a universal principal
     Man shall not live by bread alone - a final, unequivocal decree
     Man shall not live by bread alone - living is more than just existing. There is spiritual life and there is physical life. God made us to enjoy fellowship or life in his presence.

    5. Ponder each word for personal application-
    Man shall not live - Lord, you want me to discover the sweet joy of abiding in you, and you want to live through me, to use me as a living bible for others to see.
    By bread alone - Food is important, but there is something else that is even more important.
     But by every word - Lord, EVERY word? All scripture is God-breathed and is profitable. Reading only the Psalms or the New Testament is an unbalanced diet. We must taste of the fruits found in all of Your Word..

     6. God will at some future point bring this verse to mind and show you new insights into it -
    Examples:
    When you feel spiritually defeated - When was the last time you had a good spiritual meal?

     When you have an important decision to make - Why not set aside a day for prayer and fasting?


     Now see what God reveals to you when you meditate on the verses below:

    Psalm 1:1-3
    1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
    2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
    3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


    For personal or group study:
    Read Leviticus 14:33-53, then answer the following questions:

    1) What does the mildew represent?
    2) How can we apply v 40 & 41 in our lives today?
    3) Can you think of a present day example of v 47?
    4) What does the scarlet yarn represent? The hyssop?
    5) What do the blood and water represent?


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    This page was last updated on July 25, 1998.

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