Meditating on the Word - Fostering Generations

There are many different ways to meditate. This method systematically searches each verse to reveal its relation to: sins to confess or avoid, God’s promises, examples to follow, commands to obey, and knowledge we may learn of God.

Three separate instances in the Bible tell how we can be blessed and be prosperous in all that we do:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fuit in its season, whose leaf does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3

“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

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25

The key ingredient in each verse is to MEDITATE on the word of God that we may observe to DO all that is written in the Book.

From these verses, it is clear that if we want to be blessed and prosper in all that we do, we need to meditate on the word of God. Here is a good, biblical method for meditation:

Find one verse in the Bible. With this verse, paraphrase it in your own words, memorize it, and then prayerfully consider each of the following questions:

1. SINS – are there any sins to avoid?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. PROMISES – are there any promises to claim?

“by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; Ephesian 6:2

3. EXAMPLES – are there any examples for me to follow?

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us… to make ourselves an EXAMPLE of how you should follow us.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 2 Chronicles 17:3-4

4. COMMANDS – are there any commands to obey?

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14:21

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. Psalm 110:98

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; Proverbs 2:1

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: Proverbs 6:23

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Mark 7:7-8

5. KNOWLEDGE – is there something about God to be learned?

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the KNOWLEDGE of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” 2 Peter 1:2-3

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hosea 4:6

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

Notice that the method above spells “SPECK.”

After prayerfully considering the previous questions, what is your practical response to what God has shown you? After all, the point is to meditate on the word, that we may be able to DO what it says. James says “But be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only….” (James 1:22)