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The Fruit Of Godly Meditation
Contributed by Terry Denis on Mar 2, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: This passage is the longest chapter in the Bible, composed of 176 verses, divided into sections that start with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical sequence, beginning with Aleph, Bet, and so on, and so forth. It is like an acrostic, probably to aid the memory of the readers
The Fruit of Godly Meditation
INTRODUCTION.
1. The most extensive passage in the Bible.
This passage is the longest chapter in the Bible, composed of 176 verses, divided into sections that start with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical sequence, beginning with Aleph, Bet, and so on, and so forth. It is like an acrostic, probably to aid the memory of the readers.
The last verse is a familiar one. (Psalms 119:105)L
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
2. The Purpose of the Passage
The principle here is that the words of God light our paths
so that we will not stumble, fall, slip, or wander away from the path that leads to the direction of abundant life!
Therefore if we live by the word of God, we can avoid evil paths,
we can be wise and not foolish.
Such is the exhortation that we read in the 5th chapter of Ephesians. (Ephesians 5:15-18)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
3. “It is better said than done.”
With this in mind, we are encouraged to read our Bible at every opportunity.
Yet, at times, we read a chapter or a passage, and we think that we get the assurance that God will bless us because we are reading His words, but the next day, we forgot what we just read! It is true, isn't it?
Those that we do understand, we keep them in our hearts. Understanding is one thing, but applying these precepts to our lives is another thing. Obedience to the command in the scriptures is the part where we struggle.
And so, some would argue that IT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
This attitude is likened to responding to the call of Jesus for us to follow him, and we say: "Oh Lord, THAT IS EASIER SIAD THAN DONE. I will follow you, but first, let me do this, and let me finish that" Excuses!
Then Jesus will say: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not obey what I say?" (Luke 6:46)
4. Why we struggle with the commands
We struggle on the commands of Jesus because we depend on our own strength. We need to rely on the strength that Jesus gives us by his grace. (2 Timothy 2:1). And he gives us strength through the power of the Holy Spirit he gave us and who indwells in us.
The struggle against the desire of the flesh is the very reason why we need to be filled with his Spirit to help us overpower that desire in us. Note verse: Eph 5:18.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Likewise, in 2 Timothy 1:7:
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
The Holy Spirit is our Helper. The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in the life of a believer.
Apostle Paul, speaking to the Galatians, rebuked them for using their own strength to finish the race of life. (Galatians 3:3)
3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[
The passage in Galatians 3:3 is very compelling. We need to let the Holy Spirit finish his work.
6. The Final Question
The final question is: how do I obtain strength, discernment, and wisdom when I read a passage in the Scriptures? The answer is through godly meditation.
7. DEFINITION.
Godly meditation is the act of prayerfully thinking, considering, and focusing on a Biblical passage by asking God for enlightenment, wisdom, and discernment to keep the principles of the commands in our hearts and applying them to our day-to-day lives.
8. Shut off every distraction.
Therefore, when we meditate on a Scripture passage, let us shut off every distraction around us. We cannot focus on our meditation while watching TV or listening to the radio or reading our Facebook posts.
9. God is listening
When we meditate, God is listening. We are talking to Him, asking questions. He deserves our undivided attention. There is a good reason why Jesus himself left early in the morning, go to a secluded place to pray or go to the mountain by himself to meditate.
MAIN POINTS
1. We learn to love the word of God. (Psalm 119:97)
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
