Here’s a deep question: If I were to ask you what makes humans different than all the other species on the planet, what would you
say?
Is it our opposable thumbs that allow us to play iPhone games and text during Sunday School class? Is it our ability to read and write poetry "as members of the human race?"
Well, if you were to answer that question biblically you would say that humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). For others, especially philosophers, they might say that what makes humans different than any other species is our rationality; that is our ability to think. Descartes, in his series of essays known as the Meditations, wrote the famous expression: “I think, therefore I am.” For Descartes, the one thing that made humans different from all animals was our ability to rationalize. For Descartes, we are simply thinking things.
Last week, we talked about the first Spiritual Discipline: Bible Reading. This week we’ll add 2 more spiritual disciplines that are related to reading God’s Word. Frankly, these 2 disciplines are essential if we are to grow our faith. Bible reading may be fundamental, but these 2 disciplines should be done in companion to your reading. This week’s spiritual disciplines are: Bible Verse Memorization and Bible Meditation.
We didn’t focus on Bible Verse Memorization. We’ve already talked about the importance
of Scripture Memory about a year ago with Nikki’s teaching of the Temptation of
Jesus and His use of Scripture to combat Satan. So I’ll just leave you with a thought
on the importance in memorizing scripture.
“Imagine
yourself in the midst of a decision and needing guidance, or struggling with a
difficult temptation and needing victory. The Holy Spirit rushes to your mental
arsenal, flings open the door, but all He finds is a John 3:16, a Genesis 1:1,
a Great Commission. Those are great swords, but they’re not made for every
battle!” (Whitney, p.44)
Instead, we focusd on Bible Meditation. You might have preconceived notions that meditation is limited only to Asian philosophy, Eastern traditions or religions such as Buddhism, but that’s a fallacy. As Christians, we are commanded to meditate on God’s Word.
Joshua 1:8 – Do not let this Book
of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”
But what exactly is meditating upon God’s Word? Here’s a definition to help you:
the act of deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed
in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer.” (Whitney,
p. 48).
This means that Bible meditation goes beyond just reading or
hearing God’s Word at church (the first spiritual discipline). It’s actively thinking
and reflecting upon a sermon’ message
or passage in Scripture to fully grasp our great God. It’s wrestling
with a passage of Scripture to comprehend it rather than just going through the
motions. It’s chewing on or
pondering from Scripture God’s attributes, His character, and His promises
to you. Ultimately, it’s letting
God’s Word soak your life as you don’t just read then immediately leave
God’s Word but rather ponder it throughout the day and internalize it for
application and obedience.
When we repeatedly meditate on God’s Word, we’ll become like
the psalmist who declared that the Bible is a lamp for his feet and a light for his path (Psalm 119:105).
If you’re still confused about what it means to meditate on
something, here are a few things our class spends a lot of time thinking about.
Here’s a list of our class' meditations:
- ESPN and Sports.
- Food.
- An Upcoming Track Meet
- Homework.
- English books and papers to write.
- Future/Career.
- Wedding.
Now, none of those things are “wrong”, but something is
troubling when I asked how often it was that we spent time thinking about
something we read or heard in the Bible and it grew uncomfortably quiet. When
was the last time you spent time thinking about God’s faithfulness in your life? His grace and love for you? His providence, sovereignty, and plan for your life?
The truth is: hardly ever.
So I challenge everyone this week to continue to read the Bible daily, but in addition to also spend time and energy to reflect and think upon what you read. If you read something and don’t understand it, think about for some time and using what you know about God’s character to understand the text. Also, read the Bible early in the day (ie morning devotions) so you can think, ponder, and reflect about that passage you read throughout your day.
It’s extra work to meditate, but as Donald Whitney puts it: “Without meditation you may close your Bible and not be able to remember a single thing you’ve read.” (Whitney, p. 34)
Extra Notes on
Meditations:
4 Types of Meditations in the Bible
1.
On God’s Word: Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm
119: 15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148
2.
God’s Creation: Psalm 143:5
3.
God’s Providence: Psalm 77:12; 119:27; 143:5
4.
God’s Character: Psalm 63:6; 145:5
Biblical Meditation is different than other
meditations:
Biblical
Mediation is an active and not a passive/clearing of the mind activity.
Biblical
Meditation focuses on truths found in the Bible, not creating your own reality.
Weekly Bible
Verses:
Psalm
119:11 – I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Philippians
4:8 – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy – think
about such things.
Next week’s class:
What happens when someone neither memorizes Bible verses nor meditates upon
God’s law, and the painful consequences for everyone.
