As defined by the Dictionary: focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. To think deeply about something
What exactly are we meditating on and why?
Let's read Joshua 1 vs 8. Five different translations
Joshua 1:8 And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. (Message)
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
Joshua 1:8 AMPC
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. (Amplified)
Yes, keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed.
Y'hoshua (Jos) 1:8 CJB
The scroll of this law will not depart from your mouth; you will meditate on it day and night so that you may observe diligently all that is written in it. For then you will succeed in your ways and prosper.
Joshua 1:8 LEB
First, the word should not depart from our mouths, we should meditate on it day and night.
The message translation says we should not even for a minute let this Book of revelation be out of our mind.
Why?
The reason to meditate on the word every minute, day and night, every moment is so that we nay be able to observe all that is written in the word. All of it, not some or the convenient words, All.
The LEB translation says so that you may diligently observe it
Meditation is a key to the word of God coming alive in us
To meditate is to stop reading, focus and contemplate on every word, sentence, phrase, searching deeply for deeper and Fuller meaning. Weighing each word with scripture
When you search on Google for the definition of a word in the dictionary, it doesn't just bring the meaning.
Sometimes it gives you 3-4 meanings, with synonyms for each meaning
It comes up with sentences for the usage of that word. It gives full context and meaning to that word
When we start meditating, what we are doing is typing a word in our dictionary.
Then the Holy Spirit (the search engine) is the one that brings us the results or definitions.
In meditation, we unlock the riches of the word. All of the hidden riches of the word of God is unlocked in meditation.
The word of God has an unending depth. We could search and search, dig deeper and deeper but there will be no end.
Just one word, but we can dig for the rest of our lives and keep uncovering layers of understanding, revelation, truth and life.
I don't think any man has discovered all the depth and significance to not even one verse in the Bible.
I don't think any man has. This is why I implore us, whenever you are to read to verse especially a common one you know very well, don't just rush through it.
I used to do that, sometimes I will even rush it out from my head. Don't do that. That revelation you've gotten from that verse is not all
with my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently:
Psalm 77:6b AMPC
This is what happens. We meditate and the spirit searches diligently. To do something diligently is to be constant in effort to accomplish it. To be attentive and persistent
For the spirit to make due diligent search, we must stay on the word long enough.
If I search a word on an online dictionary and I close the tab immediately. I abort the work of the search engine
So it is for us. We should not be in a hurry to leave that word. When we meditate, we are reaching out to the Holy spirit to speak to us. Without the Holy spirit we cannot uncover or unlock any riches in the word.
We will only be faced with surface knowledge. Knowledge that can be reached by anyone because it is not covered or locked. We have to rely on Him to reveal when we meditate
Now while meditating, because the human mind is very inquisitive, questions pop up. As usual, the Holy spirit is waiting for those questions to pop up so he can answer them
So here are possible general questions our mind asked.
- Who is the writer and who was he speaking to?
(Remember those secondary school comprehension question. "Who said this and to whom?". This format sticks when we study the word also)
- why is the author or verse saying that?
(Eg Why did Jesus tell Peter "feed my sheep"?
Why did God order people to be killed?)
- What does the verse mean?
(Meaning of feed the Lamb?)
- Does the verse contain a spiritual principle?
(Paul advice not to marry of you can. Personal opinion or spiritual principle?)
- How does this truth or verse apply to my life?
These questions are constant for me and many more. Some of us might share same or even beyond this shared here. According to Bob Sorge, there are 5 things to look out for when studying the word
Context
You cannot understand a verse unless you know the context to which it is spoken.
Word Meanings
Look up meanings of the word if you don't understand or as the spirit leads. Original translations help a lot. So you can also find the Greek/Hebrew word.
Cross references
Where else does the word occur in the Bible (for this search the original Hebrew word, see how many times it occur and how it has been translated in each verse. Some words have more than one meaning)
Repetition
If a word a repeated a lot in the Bible, there is a need to pay attention.
Symbolism
Some words are symbolic and do not have direct meaning.
(Eg the Holy spirit as a dove. This doesn't mean the holy spirit is a dove)
These 5 things have helped me a lot in understanding and interpreting Scripture correctly.
Luke 6 vs 45.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45) KJV
“Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts, but bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.”
Luke 6:45 CEVDC
When we meditate, we deposit good treasures in our hearts.
And it doesn't stop there
The more we meditate, the more we deposit.
The more we deposit, the more we produce outward fruit and our speech and conduct is being change.
We become Christlike
Usually, we see Christians that know the word very much, they can quote anything but the fruit they produce is rotten. You even wonder how it happens.
It's because they memorize the word and know it but they don't meditate on it always! It is during meditation that the renewal of our mind happens.
And when our minds stay renewed constantly, our lives are are transformed.
Meditation is not just your normal general Bible study meetings or word alive teachings, it is Jesus feeding us directly through the Holy Spirit. In the place of meditation, the word is customized personally for you and your situation.
And it's not just a one time thing.
When we stay meditating for a long while, there is an appetite and hunger for more.
Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder.
Proverbs 16:26 MSG
The more you meditate, the hungrier you get. You are filled, the tasted uncovered layer is soooo sweet. You hold it dear but you still want more
There is a mistake we Christians make. When the Holy spirit uncovers a layer, we start jumping up and sometimes close the Bible. We are in a hurry to share on our whatsapo stories or social media out of excitement
There was a day I got a revelation in the word. I had never seen that Scripture that way, I started jumping in my room and shouting Hallelujah. The Holy spirit asked me after a while if I can sit down so we continue. If he had not, the excitement of that day would have made me close my Bible as usual
That layer that excites you is not all that is to that word. There is more food for your soul where that came from.
Revel in the revelation received but don't close up your heart. Continue the meditation.
You think you are full already? The one feeding you will enlarge your insides to have more space for more food to enter
Don't stop Him because you think you are full. Don't be in a hurry to run off with little or leave.
Meditation is gazing upon Jesus in His word, stay there. Fix your gaze upon Him. Even when doing other things (work, play, on your way back home) , keep gazing on Jesus through His word
See, when you gaze upon Jesus, you see yourself. You see all His finished works have made you to be. If any part of your life is not aligned to it yet, you are forced to adjust
Imagine me like this getting to know that Dangote is my father and I have all his wealth as inheritance, the way my life will change ehn. From change of wardrobe to the way I talk sef
That is what it is like to gaze upon Jesus (through the word). We see our true identity in Him and this causes a chance in our lives.
The Bible says in Him we have our being. Our identity is in Christ. Gaze upon Him and see yours
This teaching today is an action point for all of us, myself included.
I want us to take it serious. I didn't plan to teach this. Never even thought of teaching it before but I believe the Holy Spirit has a reason for keeping me awake this midnight
ACTION POINTS
1. I need you to write down things you are struggling with as a Christian. Search Scriptures concerning this struggle and what Christ has made you to be which opposes the struggle.
Then meditate on the Scripture every time. While bathing, cooking, washing even before you sleep.
Do it every time till there is a change. Please make sure you write it down. When you notice the change, go back and mark it off that list. Pick the next struggle
2. 2. As we study daily here, even if it is just one word, let it stay in your heart all day. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about it. To teach you till it causes a change in you.
3. Whenever you are teaching here or anywhere about a Scripture, don't search online for meanings. Don't collect second hand feeding. Don't be quick to eat digested food elsewhere. Stay still and meditate. Tell the Holy Spirit to speak to you Himself, even if it is just one word. You want Him to do the search and give you something. And you are not leaving till He does (Note that it is not bad to read and listen to other preachers. Just a part of our action points)
If we are able to do all of these action points and take it serious, I'm very certain you will see a change. Please let's write all the action points down now and make a commitment to this. Let's watch our lives change before our very eyes
I leave you with these:
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:8-9 MSG
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 AMPC
So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.
Philippians 4:8-9 TPT
Put into practice all we have talked about tonight, and watch things change
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