#20 “The Discipline of Prayer”

(Pt. 4)

 "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

New King James Version (NKJV)

“You shall meditate in it day and night, so that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” With this passage of scripture we come to another phase of “The Discipline of Prayer” mediating the word of God. Joshua was being instructed by God of what was to happen now that Moses was dead. Now Joshua would be the leader of the children of Israel and he is being instructed to not forget the law that Moses had written. Meditate in it day and night…what does this mean? It is always interesting to me that the first thing that comes to mind when a Christian hears the words, “MEDITATE” is, "are we as Christians suppose to do that?" I would say, "YES." since God told Joshua to meditate on the words of the law day and night, it applies to us as well. In order to do this let's get a better understanding about, what He meant about “meditate” in them.

The origin of the word, meditate is a Latin based word “meditari” meaning to concentrate, to think deeply on, to muse or mull over or contemplate. In essence it is to deliberately spend time studying, researching, reading and focusing on Gods word. Why is this necessary? In today society there are so many distractions, thing, which compete with our time before God. Although, these things are necessary, they were never intended to be in competition with God. Don’t get me wrong, all of these daily chores, families- husband, children, grandchildren, work, home or whatever else are neccessary. God knows we have these things to do; nevertheless, He still requires this quit time with Him. For me getting up early before the break of day works best, there again I am a morning person, and it just feels natural for me to be up at this time. I do realize that this is not everyone habit. So pick a time when you can just sit still and meditate on God’s word, quietly reading with no phones no distractions, kid in bed husband/wife tucked in for the night. Whatever it takes!

The greatest challenge to doing this will not necessary be finding the time, but rather settling your mind down from all the hustle and bustle of our day. Each of us has a place of quite, which we love to go to. A park, a scenic spot off the highway, perhaps it’s going at a certain time of the day to your favorite coffee shop. Whatever works for you is okay, just make a deliberate effort to spend some time meditating on God’s word. Why is this important? Just as the Lord told Joshua, “When you do this you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Also consider this little short quote written by an unknown author:  

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
 Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Until studying God’s word and spending time in His presence become a habit, other things will be contending for its position in our lives. When we are continually watchful of what we say and do, we are less apt to stray from the path set before us by God. When we meditate on the word of God we are less likely: 

• To be critical of other people.
• To seek validation from people, or becoming upset when it’s not given.
• To worry, because we are confident in God’s word He is working it out for our good.
• To be caught up spending time grumbling and complaining or waddling self-pity.
• To dwell on past experiences, the hurt, the bad and ugly things he/she did or said about you.
• To spend time counting your failures, mishaps and disappointments, rather counting your blessings.
• To walk in unforgiveness, carrying around past hurts, wrongs and misdeeds. You will forgive.
• To sit around wishing that bad things would befall those who have hurt you. Vengeance is the Lords.
• To be caught up in the spirit of fear, about the events of the world and what you will do.
• To become addicted to drugs, alcohol or pornography, knowing that your body is the temple of God and you will not set any unclean thing before your eyes.

My Prayer – Father we can’t turn off the world around us unless you help us find a place or calm, of peace. We need a place to freely set before you in meditation, with no distraction, without anything competing for equal time in our lives. Teach us to set before you like Mary did, for you said, “Mary has chosen that good part for herself, which will not be taken away from her.” We want that will can never taken away for us, this morning we thank you for your word being a light to our feet and a lamp to our pathways. We ask these things in Jesus name Amen!

Have A Blessed Day My Friends…go in God’s Peace!

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