MEDITATE: HOW AND WHY
1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give yourself wholly to them; that your profiting may appear to all.
The word “meditate” is very important in the Word of God. Unfortunately, it is also a word used in other Eastern religions. Let’s define what meditating on the Word of God looks like, so we can stay with the Word. When you meditate on the Word, you think deeply and carefully about what is written. You contemplate it, turn it over and over in your mind and heart. You focus your thoughts on it, and you reflect upon the written Word and ponder it in your heart. It also has to do with projecting a thought to your mind. The Word, when meditated upon, will become a picture. You, then, begin to see yourself the way the Word sees you as it tells you who you are. You begin to see yourself in the way believers are portrayed in the Word, in Christ, and in having what the Word says is yours.
The Lord told me, one time, that if you can see it, you can seize it. When you and I truly meditate on the Word of God, it will cause us to change, and everyone will notice it. When we meditate, two very important things are happening. First, we are feeding our spirit man; it needs the Word of God to be strengthened, so it can dominate in our lives. The second thing that mediation does is it helps us to renew our minds and remove any strongholds we might have.
Right after Joshua took over for Moses, the Lord gave him instructions about taking the promised land. One of those instructions had to do with meditating on the Word of God and on what God had specifically spoken to Moses. It was just like what God had said to Timothy (New Testament), that He was to meditate on what was prophetically spoken over him at the time of his ordination. This is what the Lord said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make you way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” The other parts of Joshua 1 told Joshua to be strong and very courageous. Remember, the other 10 spies were not strong and courageous; they were afraid. What is the cure for that? Meditating on the Word of God. Why? So, we can see ourselves the way God sees us. In meditating the Word, you get the picture of who you are, so you can speak out what you see and then, do it. It caused Joshua to take the promised land that God had given him. It caused Timothy to be a successful pastor of the largest church, the church of Ephesus. Meditating God’s Word will cause fear to go. It will cause your mind to think the thoughts of God, and it will enable you to agree in your heart with the Word and receive the promises of God!