The Meditation of My Heart
07/27/08 AM
Text: Joshua 1:8
Introduction
For the past two weeks we have been exploring the Word of God through the Word of God. We have learned that all scripture is inspired from God and we have learned the use of scripture for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). We have seen how God has chosen to communicate to us and to the world by way of His creation and His Word (Psalm 19:1-14). This morning we consider the proper place for the Word of God.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
I.Meditation on the Word of God
A.The Word of God belongs in our mouth
1.“This book of law” refers to the books of Moses, the Pentateuch or Torah, the first five books of Jewish and Christian scripture.
a.But Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God…”
1)This command found in Joshua can easily be expanded to include all scripture known to us today.
b.The Word of God should not depart from our mouth. It needs to be part of our everyday vocabulary.
2.This happens when we meditate on His Word, day and night.
a.The principle is simple. Saturate your mind, your thoughts, with the Word of God and it will become a part of your speech. It will not depart from your mouth.
ILL: ILL: A coworker explained “The Watchmen” As some of you may know, the Comic-Con International convention is taking place down at the San Diego Convention Center. I walked into a common area at work one day this past week and a copy of the Union-Tribune was sitting on one of the tables and there was an article detailing the goings on at the Comic-Con. This particular article mentioned a publication called "The Watchmen" and I made mention to one of the people sitting at the table that I had never heard of "The Watchmen" before. The question had barely left my mouth when another person at another table began a very rapid and enthusiastic litany covering all you could want to know about "The Watchmen" (and quite a bit more than I was interested in learning.) Just a few of the facts: “Watchmen” is a twelve-issue comic book limited series originally published by DC Comics as a monthly limited series from 1986 to 1987. Watchmen is set in 1985, in an alternate history United States where costumed adventurers are real, Richard Nixon is still president and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. The Watchmen is the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award, and is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time Magazine’s 2005 list of "the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present."
b.If you saturate your mind with something else, that is what will come out of your speech as well
1)Proverbs 23:7a “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”
2)Matthew 12:34b “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”
c.If the Word of God is to come out of our mouth it must first fill our hearts.
B.As you meditate on the Word it will begin to fill your heart.
1.In the Hebrew the meaning of the term is “to muse over.”
a.So God was commands Joshua and us to remember His Word by “muttering” it to ourselves, “pondering” it, or “musing over” it.
b.In the Christian context meditation differs from the approach of New Age and Eastern Philosophies which seek to empty the mind or focus on a single word or phrase to achieve a mystical experience.
c.The scripture makes it clear that we strive to fill our minds and our hearts with the Word of God so that we may better understand His will for His children.
2.This requires we read and reread the text, take the time to contemplate its meaning.
C.How to Meditate on the Word of God
1.Meditating on the Word of God is thinking about the Word with purpose.
a.Our attitude needs to be one of curiosity and anticipation. We are striving to know and obey the will of our Sovereign Creator and Eternal Father.
2.There are several approaches we may take to meditation.
a.Asking Questions. (seeking context) Who, What, Where, When, and How? Writing down these questions and any others which come to mind as we consider the text. (And we may not find all the answers immediately, which can lead us to areas for study of the scripture.)
b.Finding Cross References. Finding other scriptures which directly relate to the one we are considering. A good topical dictionary can help in this method. Looking for relationships in scripture helps us find themes within the Bible and see the thread of His will throughout His Word.
c.Paraphrasing. In using this method you rewrite the verse or passage in your own words. There are two ways to approach paraphrasing, 1) try to restate the text in as few words as possible to distill the root meaning of the words, or 2) amplify the text with as many explanatory words that come to mind in order to fully explore the meaning of the text.
d.Emphasizing different words. This method focuses on specific words within a verse or passage and how they relate to the text as a whole. Use this method as you read the text aloud, putting verbal emphasis on different words within the verse or passage and consider the implications to the text.
3.With any method, use prayer.
a.Before beginning your meditation pray over the passage you plan to meditate upon.
b.Give God thanks and praise for revealing Himself and His will in His written word.
c.As you meditate continue to “think out loud” to God. Thank Him for any promises the text reveals, ask His forgiveness when our meditation reveals our error, pray for His strength when our weakness is exposed, pray for courage to apply His word to our lives.
4.Application is the desired outcome of our meditation.
II.The Outcome of Meditation
A.“That you may observe to do according to all that is written.”
1.Some confuse Biblical knowledge with spiritual maturity, thinking that the depth of your knowledge determines how good a Christian you are.
a.That was the trap the Pharisees had fallen into during Jesus’ day.
b.They were very knowledgeable of the Law but Jesus said they “neglected the weightier provisions of the law.” (Matthew 23:23) They knew but did not do.
2.We should expect transformation of our behavior as we fill our hearts with the Word of God through meditation.
a.Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” David asks knowing that flowing from the heart are the words of our mouth and the action of our lives.
b.The purpose of meditation is not just knowledge but obedience. Not only to know but to do: James 1:23-25.
B.As meditation shapes us as Christians, it will bring blessings.
1.As we move from meditation on the word to living by the Word our “way will be made prosperous and we will have good success.”
a.This is the real “prosperity gospel”, not the message that God wants everyone to get rich quick. God dos not promise to make us prosperous in worldly things just because we want them.
b.God promises to bless our spiritual lives and spiritual endeavors with success through understanding and application of His word.
2.God will keep us as we keep His commandments.
Conclusion: The Word of God belongs in our heart, in our mouth, and in our lives.
Invitation
