Meditate – Percolate Part 3
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Bible meditation has fallen out of favor. Why? Because we live in an instantaneous society, and a preoccupied society. We have so much stuff coming at us from TV, mobile phones, email, texts, snail mail, satellite links, cable news feeds, and podcasts that we hardly have a moment to react – much less reflect. Get real! You can’t ‘download’ spiritual maturity by hitting a few keys on a computer. That’s why the Scriptures speak so often about meditation.
God, the author of the Bible, gave Joshua the formula for succeeding in your career and prospering in whatever you put your hand to: ‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth [speak the Scriptures every chance you get], but you shall meditate on it [when?] day and night, so that you may be careful to do [not just know, but do!] according to all [you can’t pick and choose] that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success’ (v. 8). Note the words ‘you will make’. To succeed in life, you must do something. Do what? Meditate in God’s Word! How often? ‘Day and night.’
So what portion of Scripture were you thinking about this morning as you started your day? Or while driving to and from work? For that matter, when was the last time you consciously reflected on any Bible truth or principle? If you can’t remember, start making some changes right away. Paul told Timothy: ‘Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all’ (1 Timothy 4:15). And that’s still the rule!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to follow what you told Joshua to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
ITTT
Thanks Tim. The reminder to meditate on God’s word is valuable advice. We are bombarded with so much information that it is easy to lose sight of God’s eternal truth and what’s really important. I appreciate your insights.
Right on! Perhaps when we hear the word “meditate”, we wrongfully think of Eastern practices. An old saintly woman told me to “chew” the Word of the Lord like the cows! They chew the grass, swallow it and then bring it up again and chew it again!
Good morning Tim,
Your devotion this morning speaks to the most successful ministry I’ve been involved in for the past sixty years. I was called to provide a Bible verse each morning. Just one to three verses per day. I only give the book, chapter and verse with a pithy comment to make the reader question what the verse is about and then look it up. I’ve never had more reaction to anything I’ve done than this simple ministry. I think it’s because it’s so brief, but I know it get’s read because of the comments I get.