Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 43

Psalm 119:9-14  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10)  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11)  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12)  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 13)  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14)  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 

Meditating on the Word of God brings great blessing. 

Psalm 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

We have been thinking about what it means to meditate on the precepts or house rules of God. We learned that finding delight in the Word precedes meditating on it.

Meditation is revolving Bible truth around slowly in the mind, thinking about it from many different vantage points. 

There are two aspects of exercising our minds in thinking about scripture.  First is what we might term a dogmatical searching out of truth in order to gain knowledge and understanding (See Romans 12:1-2). 

A second aspect of meditation upon God's precepts is practical and has application to our lives. This is our spiritual duty as commanded in Joshua 1:8. It is meditation that leads us to obeying the will of God. 

Repetition and frequent meditation is good for us. 

Psalm 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. 

We never discover the full scope, beauty and order of God's truth until we spend time meditating on them. The Psalmist tells us he heard from God more than once because our minds need repetition in contemplating what God says to us in His Word. 

Believers can gain understanding that we retain in our heart. 

Psalm 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 

We need to establish a pattern of daily meditation and thinking about God's truth, as we allow enough time to let them sink into our heart. 

The Psalmist shows us that we can gain more understanding through meditation of the scriptures. God intends to continually change us from the inside out, and He does this when we really absorb scripture by thinking about it. 

What we meditate on and allow to become imbedded in our hearts is what will govern our thoughts, words and actions. Our prayers will be more aligned with God's will instead of giving Him a list of things that we want. 

Wholesome words that edify others.

Psalm 45:1   My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.  

The word "inditing" refers to a spring of sweet water bubbling up from the earth, water that is cool and refreshing. It suggests a constant boiling activity of a good matter. 

The words "good matter" refer to words that are wholesome, morally pure, beneficial and healthy. 

Putting these things together gives a picture of a man who has meditated and thought deeply and often about the things of God. 

The truth has taken hold of his heart and he has an excitement to speak of them with those he interacts with.

The Psalms were sung and discussed publicly before kings, princes and nobles. 

The idea of having a "tongue be the pen of a ready writer," means that wholesome speech shaped by the Word of God is the first thing that comes out of his mouth when he speaks.  

Meditation's fruit is beautiful speech that is filled with God's truth and has a passion that others will see. 

Reflect and rejoice in God's goodness.

Psalm 143:5,6  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6)  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 

Meditation includes remembering the works that God has done in our lives. We recall what He did at particular points in our lives. 

We can look back at how God led us through trials, through various events of life, through raising our children, through helping us support our family, and so many more things. 

What a change will happen in our spirit. We will long for God as much as a thirsty man in the desert longs for one cup of cold water. 

God will guide us as we meditate on His truth. 

Proverbs 6:20-22  My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21)  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22)  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 

King Solomon taught his children the truth of God and notice the way that he taught them. This connects with what the Psalmist says about meditation. Binding them continually on our heart is exactly what meditation is. 

Notice the benefit of meditation on God's truth. It will keep us in a right spirit at night, it will guide us when we make decisions, and it will correct or encourage us while we go about our daily duties.  

Constant meditation about the things of God allows His Word to gain more power and influence over our mind, will and heart. This is a very good thing for each believer. 

Set your heart on His Word.

Deuteronomy 32:46  And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 

When Moses finished  communicating the law to the Hebrews, he commanded them to set their hearts on the scriptures. He wanted them to meditate on them daily so that the truth would sink into their hearts and govern their thoughts, words and actions. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Remember what God has done for us in the past. This will fill our heart with gratitude and praise. This will increase our faith and trust in Him.

Reflect upon His unwavering love and goodness toward us even though we often fail Him. He does not deal with us as we deserve, but is gracious and longsuffering. 

Recall the promises of God and His love for us because they give us great hope. The world offers no hope but a believer in Christ is an heir of hope. 

Retain what we meditate on by thinking of His truth often. His Word can be the rudder that steers us on a holy path, and keeps us safely away from the path of misery and destruction. 

I pray that God will help us meditate on His truth so that we are equipped to live a life that honors Him.

Bob