With the beginning of the new year, we venture into a new theme that finds its roots in the word meditation. I have been spending some time thinking about this subject and will admit that this journey is as much a learning opportunity for me as it might be for many of you. So, where to begin? I decided to look up the word in the dictionary and found the meaning interesting. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines meditate as (1) to reflect upon; study; ponder (2) to plan or intend – to think deeply and continuously; reflect; muse. I took the liberty of highlighting part of the definition because I realized something (I think.); that is, whether we know it or not, we all meditate! We all often find ourselves thinking continuously about something…right? More about that in a minute.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:2
The Hebrew word translated “meditates” in this verse means to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse. Muse simple means to consider something thoughtfully. Let’s try and connect some dots from the verses surrounding this text. First, the Psalmist is speaking of someone who is “blessed” (v1). Why is this person blessed? Because he or she (1) walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, (2) nor stands in the path of sinners, (3) nor sits in the seat of the scornful: but instead, delights in the law of the Lord. He or she meditates on it “day and night”; that is, to think about it deeply and continuously. Although the outcome will be more directly considered in a future lesson, it is noteworthy to take a moment and look at v3, which says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he (or she) does shall prosper.” So, let see if I understand this correctly; what we think about continuously plays a significant role in our happiness (blessed) as well as our prosperity.
So, I ask myself this question? What do I tend to think deeply and continuously about in my daily life? We think about something…always. Maybe you worry a bunch, fretting about life. Perhaps your focus is on achievement in life, goals in this world. Whatever it may be, you are thinking about something. So, I begin anew to realize why meditating on God’s word “continuously” is so vital to my walk. It is the “lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105), what we use to bring “every thought into captivity” (2nd Corinthians 10:5), it is what God uses to prepare us for “every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:17). It is a critical part of our Christian walk, which enables us to prosper.
May our Lord strengthen us this year to be a people who think deeply and continuously upon His word that He might guide and direct us to the glory of His name.
Dennis
Biddeford Church of Christ 