Meditation and Listening

Meditation

After Moses dies in the wilderness outside the promised land, God speaks to Joshua, the one chosen to lead after Moses.

God paints a grand picture of what He will accomplish through Joshua’s leadership.

And then He gives Joshua a command.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

He tells Him to meditate on the Word of God.

When we hear the word “meditation” we automatically get the picture of a Hindu guru sitting in an awkward position trying to release his thoughts from his minds.

That is not God’s intention here in Joshua nor in .

Psalm 1:2 ESV

2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Ps 1:1-

Meditation in prayer is the act of dwelling upon God’s Word, seeking ways we might apply it to your everyday lives.

Paying attention to what it says

If you are like me, I don’t always pay attention very well to what I am reading in the Bible every day.

I might read for 10 minutes, only to realize I didn’t really understand anything that I read.

I should pay closer attention,

But, at times, there is just too much to really grasp in one section of scripture

Or because of something going on in my life, I need to pay special, particular attention to a certain passage.

That where meditation comes in.

How do we do it?

Chose one theme to mediation on.

Eastman points to theme to focus your mediation on:

God Himself

God’s Word

God’s Works - in your life, other’s lives, or history.

Past Victories or answered prayers

Things worth of Praise- experiences, images that come to mind...

Think and dwell on that aspect. If it is a passage, think about each word and how each word is important for the whole passage.

Ask questions about the theme to go deeper in understanding and applying.

Seek to bring a passage of scripture into you mediation if you are not focused on a passage already.

Listening

Meditation and listening really are like Peas and Carrots

Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV

2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

To listen in prayer is to mentally absorb di- vine instructions from God concerning specific matters for that day.

Best friends are always good listeners. If we truly desire to be friends with the Lord, we must learn the secret of listening.

Best friends are always good listeners. If we truly desire to be friends with the Lord, we must learn the secret of listening.

listening.

To quiet our hearts for the specific purpose of receiving the day’s guidance is an act of both dependence and faith.

To quiet our hearts for the specific purpose of receiving the day’s guidance is an act of both dependence and faith. Listening implies confidence that God truly desires to speak to us.

Listening implies confidence that God truly desires to speak to us.

This is what it means for Jesus to be our Good Shepherd.

We should desire to hear His voice in the midst of the chaos of the world around us.

We aren’t listening necessarily for an audible voice, but a clear direction from the Lord as we are silent before Him.

Don’t seek an audible voice or a profound thought

Simple Questions

What do I need get done today God?

What do I need to focus on this week?

Who do I need to reach out to today?

In the “listening” time of prayer do not hesitate to ask God very specific questions about difficult problems or situations.

Search Scripture for specific answers to your questions. God most often speaks through His Word.

questions. God most often speaks through His Word. 3. Mentally evaluate all circumstances that relate to a problem. Ask God to show you His plan through those circumstances. 4. Be prepared to write down any ideas God may share concerning the details of solving that particular prob- lem.

Mentally evaluate all circumstances that relate to a problem. Ask God to show you His plan through those circumstances.

Be prepared to write down any ideas God may share concerning the details of solving that particular problem.