Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Good Morning!

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As we near the end of our series on prayer, I thought it would be useful for us to to look at something that has somewhat become taboo in Christian circles........ and that is the action of meditation.

I can sense the raised eyebrows, concerned looks and maybe even a proclamation of, “He’s lost it.”

Understandable.

But bare with me.

What I need you to do this morning is to take any preconceived ideas of what the world has made of mediation and chuck those.

We must understand that meditation…dwelling…being consumed by…is a biblical practice before anything…and just like pretty much all things God has given us…we take it and make it something it was never intended to be.

So, we need to not avoid it because of what it has either turned into or has become…we need to practice it as God intended it to be.

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I guess the best way for me to open our time is to talk about what Christian meditation IS NOT.

I’m gonna share four, but the list could definitely go on.

IT IS NOT.....

1. Yoga- You may enjoy yoga.

I’m not knocking the physical aspect of yoga.

BUT, if you are doing it for the meditative experience to gain some spiritual insight, you barking up the wrong tree.

2. TM(Transcendental Meditation)- The art of silently sitting with eyes closed as you clear the mind and reach a point of peace and own awareness referred to as pure consciousness.

I’ll tell you the last thing we need when sitting and reflecting is more of ourselves.

3. New Age Movement- Many of you may remember the beginning of the new age movement.

A new age of love and light.

A foretaste of what was to come as people “transformed” themselves and “healed”.

4. Nature- It is not about becoming one with nature.

Nature in and of itself has no sustaining characteristics because everything about nature points back to a Creator.

It’s because of most of these are view and understanding of meditation has been skewed and instead of engaging in it biblically, the church has all but thrown out the idea of meditation.

Here’s the thing though.

Meditation is not only mentioned in scripture, its commanded by God and even modeled by the Godly.

King David declares in Psalm 119

The difference we will see is meditation for Christians has an incredibly different objective.

Since most worldly forms has the individual reflection on nothing or on themselves or clearing the mind.

Meditation from scripture involves filling your mind… with God and His truths.

For our most basic definition of what this means- it is simply to deeply dwell on the things of God.

And in more deeply dwelling on Him we can more properly prepare ourselves for prayer.

As scripture fuels our meditation, meditation can fuel our prayer.

And I think we can hardly argue with that being a bad thing.

Today, as we look at our passage in Psalm 46 it is very fitting for us.

The whole tone of this Psalm points out to us that it was certainly composed during a time of great crisis.

So, its declaration of such immense faith and trust in God amidst such crisis should be impressive but also more…comforting, encouraging and maybe even convicting.

Please stand...

Pray

Our only source of true strength and refuge is God.

Verses- 1-3

As we dive into this Psalm the first verse should actually be enough.

It says it all..... Our full security is found in God…only God....nothing else.

He is our refuge........

This is coming from a place of defense.

Our world is against us.

Sin is against us.

God is our shelter.

But He is also our strength.

He empowers us....the weak for action.

The end of verse one points that out to us.

“A very present help in troubled times.”

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God is our conqueror though.

We see that here.

Because of Him we do not fear the end of anything.

Even if the earth gives way.

Even if the mountains are moved into the sea.

Even if we are faced with catastrophic things in this world we are to fear not.

Do we forget who placed the things in this world where they are?

Who do we think is in control here?

Don’t forget for a moment that the Lord is still seated on His throne and that He is still fully in control.

I don’t care what is happening in this world.

Whether natural disaster, actions of man or some virus....we serve a God who is completely sovereign.

Do not lose sight for one second about who is in control.

......Meditation is something that brings about FOCUS for us.

When we are focusing on what and who God is, the reality of our existence and mission is clear.

We fear nothing this world throws at us........we take refuge and strength in Him because He has conquered this world.

We must be drawing nearer and nearer to Him.

He must be our refuge, especially in times such as these so that He may strengthen us to continue and proclaim the name of the Lord to those around us.

So, having established God’s position and why we should dwell on his things..the next thing we see in Psalm 46 is-

God is with us in all circumstances and is worthy to be praised.

Verses- 4-7

We are seeing this beautiful image of the people of God as we draw near to Him, praising Him and being joyful because of Him.

This city of God, is His people.

And we see He is in the midst of His people and will not be moved.

When he utters his voice, the earth melts.

He is with us and is our fortress!

....As King David cries out to God and reflects on His Words to understand His majesty we to will find that meditation helps us to understand the Words of God as we reflect and ponder on His ways.

And as we understand His Word more fully we find ourselves, through meditation, able to worship Him more fully and lift Him up.

Such a God should be praised.

We serve a God that is for His people, not against.

We are constantly shown throughout that He is faithful and that He isn’t going anywhere.

Forsake/shadowing

We are charged to be confident in the Lord.

Rely on His strength and courage.

Not to fear the things of this world because He is with us and will never leave us!

Another thing meditation does for us......it help us to REMEMBER.

How does one truly hide God’s Word in their heart...... It’s more than memorization.

It’s reflecting on God’s Word, dwelling on it to the point it is ingrained in your soul and you cannot forget it.

And how that is connected to prayer....as we meditate…we will find ourselves slipping in and out of prayer…praying without ceasing…having an attitude of prayer as we meditate.

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We must stand in awe of his marvelous works and be still to know of His great truths.

Verses 8-11

When is the last time you truly stood in awe at the works of God?

You may even be thinking you can’t recall ever standing in awe of God.

Well, we are told here to.

......BEHOLD THE WORKS OF THE LORD.

There is a great need in us… a people who are easily distracted, who are constantly ready for the next big thing.... to take a step back and reflect on the works of God.....OFTEN.

Book-Charles Swindoll

His works are worthy to be reflected on........Creation, His Faithfulness to His people, His Promises, His deliverance from Exile, the conquests over the enemies of Israel, the salvation that He brought to us through Jesus Christ.

God throughout history has been on a life saving mission for His people since the fall of man.

These are things worthy to reflect on.