MEDITATION

PSALMS 1:2

A. "IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT"
  1. The subject on meditation is very attractive to those who care:
    1. There is too much in our life that is regrettable because of haste and premature judgment
    2. Peter gives us an example of haste and regret; we think of his premature and impulsive action - Mark 14:47; his rash promises - John 13:37; Matt. 26:35; and, finally, what he did instead - Mark 14:67-72
  2. Truly, meditation is a timely subject for us:
    1. We are living at a time when speed is the slogan
    2. When God's people will be wise to give some of their time and effort to the value of meditation
B. MEDITATION
  1. The subject on meditation receives strong emphasis in the Bible:
    1. Joshua was admonished to meditate "on the book of the law day and night" Joshua 1:8
    2. The Psalmist extols the dedication of one who, too, meditates in God's law day and night - Ps. 1:2
    3. The Psalmist practiced meditation very regularly - Ps. 63:6; 77:12; 119:15, 78; 23:47; 143:5
    4. And that great thinker - Paul suggests to his spiritual son to be given to prayerful meditation - I Tim. 4:15 2.Meditation - what it means:
    5. To meditate is to contemplate upon a given subject or action
    6. To meditate means to turn over in ones mind the word of God - Phil 4:8
    7. Finally, to meditate means to be deeply absorbed in what one sees or hears
  2. Object for meditation:
    1. The word of God is an all inclusive and saving object for our prayerful consideration
    2. Our personal relationship with God and our fellow men is a worthy subject for meditation
    3. Life here and hereafter is a must for all rational beings
C. BENEFITS OF PRACTICED MEDITATION
  1. Careful contemplation on God's word:
    1. Will shield us against premature and hasty action that is harmful to us and our fellowmen - Ps. 119:9
    2. It will enlarge our vision of God and his love to us - Luke 5:6
    3. Meditation upon God's wonderful creation caused the Psalmist to exclaim, "How precious are thy thoughts" - Ps. 139:17; Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-4
  2. Meditation:
    1. Is indicative that we take life seriously that we feel accountable for what we do, yea, even every word is included - Matt. 12:36-37
    2. It helps us to weigh our plans before we put them into actions - think before we act
    3. Had Cain followed this plan he would not have murdered his brother - Gen. 4:6-7
    4. Had King David weighed his plans to take the wife of one of his loyal soldiers, he would not have taken that man's life and he would not have brought shame and disgrace upon the throne by taking Bathsheba, Uriah's wife - 2 Sam. 11:2-17
    5. Had Judas meditated upon what his betrayal of Jesus would mean, he might never have committed the crime of the ages
  3. Meditation is more than just thinking:
    1. It includes the weighing of actions
    2. Job requests that he be weighed in an even balance - Job 31:6
  4. Finally meditation is both wise and refreshing to all who practice it:
    1. Spend some time every day in meditation upon the Word of God, and life will be richer and more enjoyable
    2. Join your meditation with your supplication in prayer - and it will give you new incentives for communion with God in prayer
    3. It will make you conscious of your constant need of help from above
    4. It will increase your capacity for service in the cause of God - Joshua 1:6-9
    5. It will enrich you with the wisdom and grace of heaven and so make your life fruitful for this present world and that to come


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