MEDITATE… APPLY. 1st Timothy 4:15. How do we nurture and “stir up” the gift that God has given us, enabling consistent and effective service for our Lord? Paul made it plain to Timothy that he was to “meditate” on what he had been instructed. He was to go to the extent of giving himself “wholly” and completely to them.
The things written in the scriptures for our “learning and admonition” are not just subjects to study and learn from. We should focus our thoughts on them and pursue them passionately and urgently until they become personal. Then, our practice of God’s will will become a natural part of our lives. It will also be clear to others that what God has to say to us and expects from us are the concerns of our minds and the motivation behind our lives.
We must be vigilant about what we allow into our lives through our minds and emotions, as well as what we do physically. Reviewing what I permit will help prevent me from falling back or downward when I listen to everything happening around us. Anything that does not build up my faith or effectively minister positively to my brothers and sisters should not be allowed. Consistently dedicating our time and talents to the things of God will shield us from the dangers of false teaching and from limiting God's work due to a poor testimony of His grace in our lives. Let us live above reproach so that our ministry is not discredited. Let us pay attention to our responsibilities and use our gifts for the purpose for which God gave them. Let us meditate on subjects that edify, uplift, exhort, and comfort, so others can see that we are attentive to all areas of our lives, and they will be more inclined to listen to what we have to teach and preach.
MEDITATION: The key to understanding. 1Tim.4:15; Ps.49:3; Josh.1:8.
- Its Sanction.
Endorsed by example: David and Joshua. Endorsed by command: an obligation.
- Its Significance.
Contemplate, study, ruminate, think on, reflect on, turn over in the mind, dwell intently on, chew the cud upon, turn around in the mind deliberately. Meditation is to the mind what mastication is to the body. It is a natural skill.
- Its Subjects.
Christian meditation has content [Col.3:16].
- Meditate upon the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ [Ps.104:34].
- Meditate upon the Word of God [Ps.119:97, 99, 15, 78, 23, 48].
- Meditate upon the wonderful works of God [Ps.77:12]: through the word, creation; redemption.
- Its Strengths.
- Enlightenment [Ps.119:130]. Spiritual darkness goes out when light comes in.
- Nourishment [Mat.4:4; Jn.6:63]. Food for the mind and heart.
- Refreshment [Isa.28:12]. A pause that is related to God’s Word.
- Its Seasons.
- For one who is called in a special work [Josh.1:8].
- For one confronted by temptations from without [Ps.1:1,2].
- For one who is unjustly criticized [Ps.119:23].
- Its Secrets.
- Silence.
- Solitude.
- Seriousness.
- System.
- Its System.
- Seek God’s help.
- Select a subject for meditation.
- Study: the reality of the subject and the passages about it.
- State: what you know.
- Share with others.
Meditation is beneficial when the focus of thought is positive. The advantage comes from nourishing the spirit. Reading is a good starting point; listening and observing are other ways to stimulate the mind with food for thought that needs to be thoroughly considered. One must be cautious because the mind is not a blank slate. I can think with a complaint or promote with thanks. What I allow myself to think about can have a harmful effect if I meditate on the wrong things and neglect the right ones.
Things with godliness as their purpose can transform my life. How I respond to thoughts I meditate on can influence others. Some thoughts will uplift, and that will show in my voice, facial expressions, and speech. Meditation helps me see more deeply than just skimming the surface. God desires my meditation to draw me closer to Him.
It’s not enough to know God and be aware of His truth. Meditation has more value to me when I can share its results with others so they can grow and go further in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. When meditation becomes an application, it increases one’s faith. It is not only for self-interest that we apply what we know, but also so that others we minister to may grow by seeing how God works in us. The benefits that come may be very easy to see. Applying what I meditate on has several reasons that can be useful in many ways and throughout my life. What I learned and practiced when I was young is still with me when I’m old, and I can tell others about the benefits I received then.