Meditation exercise.  What are your consuming thoughts, day and night, night and day?

Question 2- Which definition is the definition of meditation as God designed it?

Definition #1 of Meditation:         think deeply or 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.

Definition #2 of Meditation:         to murmur in pleasure or in anger, to moan, growl, roar, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, sing, study.
 
Regarding the above definitions, #1 is Oxford dictionary's definition.  It is worldly, muddled with various religious approaches and therefore inaccurate.  Worldly thought focuses on silence, possibly aided by chanting, for the express purpose to relax and or for spiritual purposes.  Its definition is wide and tries to encompass all beliefs.  Biblical meditation does not cast so wide a net. 

By contrast in definition #2, meditation is NOT silent nor for the purpose of relaxing.  It is vocal, emotional, conversational, curious, lyrical, thought provoking, a means for decision making and learning.  God intends meditation to renew the mind and transform his people, not put us to sleep.   

Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Those verses are about delighting in the law of God.  Meditating on God’s Word, Day and night, day and night.  Whatever you do shall prosper!  That is a dramatic promise.

Question #3- Pick A or B.  What are the thoughts that most accurately describe your meditation, day and night, night and day? 

A.      I worry (obsess) with, “How will this all work out?  What do I need to do next?”

Or

B.      I frequently remind myself, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.  He will lead and guide and prosper my way forward.  I will trust and not be afraid.”

By far, most of us will answer A.  Our minds are practically an intolerable force to deal with!  Worry, anxiety, fear, selfish motive, hungry for more, self-protective, negative, cynical, distrustful of God’s care. 

We have SO many consuming thoughts not aligning with God’s promises!

Take a minute and review your current and consuming thoughts.  List them, what are they?  What are the repetitive questions or thoughts continually being considered in your mind? 

Referring again to question #1 above, did you choose the roaring lion with his prey or the bleating lamb?   The lion roaring is the correct answer. 

Look closely at the definition of meditation, you will see it is translated one time as the verb

“roaring”. 

​Where is the scripture reference to "roaring" found?  In Isaiah 31:4-

WHO do you see roaring in Isaiah 31:4?  Who is the lion with his prey, unwilling to give up his catch despite the fact that he is surrounded by shepherds intent to take his life?  Who did not run and was willing to be captured?  Who was unafraid of all those surrounding him with weapons?  Who was circled with loud taunts calling for his crucifixion?  Who did not resort to the same methods of attack but instead gave his life?  Who came down to fight for His prized possession, i.e. you and me and all who call on His Name?  Who cried out with a loud cry on the cross, "It is finished!"

The LORD of hosts, the LION of JUDAH!!!  He is the One whose meditation over his word to redeem was not quiet and accomplished by chanting.  It is a ferocious roar of protection and salvation over your life and mine!

Revelation 5:5 New International Version (NIV)
5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Meditate on the One who roars over you at the cost of His own life.  He has triumphed! 

​May you assess the continual musings of your mind.  Do you really connect with the depth of His love for you? Would you be so consumed with other thoughts if you mused more on Jesus and the ferocious love of God?  Do a hard stop with God in prayer.

  Let go of worry, cast your cares on Christ.  Boldly confess your weaknesses that the power of Christ might rest on you.  Believe in the One who refuses to let you go, at the cost of His own life. 

REMEMBER- Romans 8:32- He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

What do you need?  Meditate upon Jesus, talk to God who graciously gives us all that we need, 2 Peter 1:3.

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