MEDITATING RIGHTLY

02/17/2024

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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" (Joshua 1:8).

Meditation in the Word must be personal to be effective. You start meditating by taking a relevant verse or verses of scripture generically to condition your mind with the Logos (the general Word of God). But at some point, your meditation must switch into a deeply focused and targeted weapon at the issue that you are seeking to change or bring into conformity with the image from the Word of God. 

Paul describes this focus in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where he writes, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 

In essence, let's say you are an expectant mother and you are on a meditation regime, twice daily, for safe delivery. One verse of scripture that has been incorporated as part of this morning-and-evening meditation regime is 1 Timothy 2:15, which says, "Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control."

Now, you may start by simply muttering this scripture verbatim for a period. But there must come a time when you start to personalize the scriptures because you are visualizing yourself in them. For example, if your name is Cordelia, 1 Timothy 2:15 becomes, "Nevertheless...[I, Cordelia] will be saved in childbearing...[because I] continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." Hallelujah.

The Bible says it is important not to forget the image that we see in the mirror of the Logos (see James 1:23-24) because, from the Logos, we derive the Rhema (the spoken, operative, or surgical Word of God that produces changes) with which we live. When Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word (rhema) that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), it was indicative of a spiritual bread that can address any shortcomings that undermine living. 

So don't just meditate on the Word, quoting the scriptures over and over. Rather, bring the Word to bear on a specific situation, personalizing its provisions for that issue until a miracle springs forth. 

Have a beautiful day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I unlock the benefits of meditation with the revelation of God's word that I have received today. I profit by this message and progress is noticeable by all in my social orbit, to God's glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 24-25; Mark 1:23-45