Spiritual Disciplines (4)

Meditation

Meditation

This is not referring to Eastern meditation which comes out of Buddhism or Hinduism. With eastern meditation, a person empties one’s-self, where in Christianity, we are filled by God’s word.

I remember somewhere back in the 1980’s, I went to a joint service, where a film was shown on Yoga and Eastern meditation and the dangers of it. To me, it seemed like it wouldn’t be something that would take root in our society and yet It has rooted itself into our school systems as well as our fitness.

Mindfulness has become a buzz word in our society that our school system has introduced to try to get children’s minds to slow down so that they can concentrate on their studies. We have kids that struggle to focus and to concentrate, so it’s thought that a good way to fix it is to introduce the practice of mindfulness.

When somebody brought it to my attention, I had no idea what they were even talking about. To me, being mindful was to be thoughtful and to take special care in what was being done.

Meditation utilizes various practices to quiet the mind or achieve a higher level of consciousness, one of which is mindfulness. Mindfulness can be cultivated within or outside of formal meditation and woven into any activity, such as taking a walk or being engaged in conversation. (Internet)

In the school system, we as parents were told that it was strictly secular. Even though it had came from Eastern meditation, it wasn’t the same. It was just for relaxation.

Our enemy, the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He wants to make things look harmless, and even though he masquerades as an angel of light, he wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy.

Psalm 1:2

Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 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 does shall prosper.

It’s one thing to read God’s word, but it’s another thing to take it and think about it and allow it to saturate us. It’s like the process of marinating. As we meditate on God’s word, it’s flavour gets into us.

Psalm 119:9-16

Psalm 119:9–16 NIV

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Philippians 4:6-8

Philippians 4:6–8 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Praying Scripture

There is great value in praying God’s word. When we pray Scripture, we are declaring to God that we believe what He has promised in His Word.

God knows what His word says. He knows what He has promised, and yet He delights in us as we proclaim the truth in His word.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

When we pray His word, we pray His will.

1 John 5:14-15

1 John 5:14–15 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

His promises are Yes in Christ

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

2 Corinthians 1:18–22 NIV

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

What impact has reading God’s Word, meditating on Scripture and praying Scripture had in your life?