## Sweet Hour of Prayer #9: Meditation

## Joshua 1:8

We are nearing the end of our discussion of prayer. We have discussed many different aspects of prayer, and I trust that it has caused us to re-think the time we spend with the Lord in prayer. Tonight we come to another important part of an effective prayer time: meditation. Meditation is the act of spiritual evaluation where the believer ponders a spiritual theme in reference to God.

I. Word Study.

A. Note: Joshua 1:8

1."This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

2. Here the Hebrew word means "to mutter upon" or "to muse".

3. This suggests a silent inner study of some spiritual matter.

B. Note: Ps. 119:15

1. "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

2. In this passage the Hebrew word means "to bow down".

3. The thought is that we give special mental attention by bowing down in respect of God's Word.

C. Note: 1 Tim. 4:15.

1. "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."

2. In this verse the Greek word means "to be careful" or "to show care".

3. This suggests that meditation is more than just thinking good thoughts.

4. It is also giving attention to how we might specifically apply these ponderings to our lives.

II. The Value of Meditation.

A. Inner peace.

1. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

2. Peace, comfort, and contentment comes to those who spend time meditating upon God.

3. Ps 94:19, "In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul."

4. Ps 104:34, "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."

B. Depth and understanding.

1. Ps 139:17-18, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

2. The psalmist describes the 'blessed man' as one who spends time in meditation.

3. Ps 1:2, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

III. Themes of Focus for Meditation.

A. Meditate upon God Himself.

1. Ps. 62:5, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him."

2. This is different from waiting on God.

3. Waiting involves loving God where meditating involves thinking about Him.

B. Meditate upon God's Word.

1. Since meditation is the mental evaluation of any spiritual theme,

2. The Bible becomes a tremendous source for our meditation.

3. Consider the many promises of God...they each can be a source for meditation.

C. Meditate upon God's Works.

1. Ps. 77:12, "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."

2. Here another unlimited source for our meditation.

3. When we consider the beauty of nature we shouldn't think of just its beauty, but should meditate on the fact that God is its creator.

D. Meditate on past victories.

1. Ps. 143:5, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."

2. In times of distress or discouragement we can find much comfort in reflecting on the blessings God has given us in previous days.

3. Rather than focusing on the problems and obstacles we should think on the blessings.

4. Ph. 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

As we spend time in prayer, let's not neglect to spend part of that time in meditation.