Meditating on God’s Word

“Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the company of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

Meditation is a word that is not often used in contemporary Christianity. The art or act of meditation is not too frequently spoken about among believers in Christ Jesus. In fact, many people sort of view meditation in a negative way possibly because the term is now more associated with “mystical religions”, Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, ESP, astral travel, Christian Science and the likes.

The fact that so many other religious groups use the term and practice the act in some way does not mean that we should completely abandon it. There is a biblically prescribed act of meditation and as Psalm 1 points to us, meditating on the word of God is vital to our fruitfulness.

While Eastern forms of meditation teach people to empty their minds, stressing the need for detachment from the world, meditation as taught in the Holy Scriptures is an act of focusing the mind on one subject. Biblical meditation does not mean we are to sit and think infinity, rather it is object oriented-reflective thinking on a particular subject.

“When I remember Thee upon my bed and meditate on Thee in the night watches…”

Psalm 63:6 KJV

“I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.”

Psalm 77:12 KJV

Particularly, the Scriptures teach us to meditate on the word of God. This refers to times when we think deeply, dwell on, ponder over, and thoroughly masticate on the word of God to properly digest the truth. Rather than a casual cursory glance at His word, it is an act in which we give careful attention to internalize and personalize God’s word. It is in the place of meditating on the word of God that realities of His truth dawn upon our hearts. Convictions are changed and firm decisions in obedience to the truth are made.

Not only is meditation vital for our fruitfulness as believers, it is also a very important part of our transformation. Romans 12: 1 & 2 speak of how we are transformed by the renewal of our minds and renewal of our minds only occurs when we focus our minds on the proper things.

Dr Merril Unger wrote in his book “Pathway to Power” in the early 1950s:

“Meditation upon God’s Word is fast becoming a lost art among many Christian people. This holy exercise of pondering over the Word, chewing it as an animal chews its cud to get its sweetness and nutritive virtue into the heart and life, takes time, which ill fits into the speed of our modern age…”

If this was true then, it is so much truer now almost 70 years after. We are a generation of hustle and bustle. Some people are so busy they don’t even have time to go for medical check-ups! Rest, relaxation and sleep are almost a luxury for some people. Deep reflection is now a thing of the past.

However, we must follow the example of people of God who walked with Him and made a practice of meditation:

“I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.”

“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes”

“My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.”

“Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.”

Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 148 KJV

Someone once said about the devil and his activities, “our adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds.” All three are present in our world in alarming ubiquity. We need quietness, stillness and solitude to meditate on God’s word. This week, as we muse on this Psalm, may God’s Spirit awaken in us the right desire that will be matched by the required diligence to create the time and find the appropriate places to meditate on the word of God.

My song for the week is “Breathe” by Jonny Diaz.

Our All-Powerful God

“For it was You who created my inward parts;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You because I have been remarkably

and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.

My bones were not hidden from You

when I was made in the secret,

When I was formed in the depths of the earth.”

Psalm 139: 13 – 15 HCSB

A young boy was traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a seminary professor on the plane. The boy was reading a Sunday School take home paper when the professor decided to have some fun with him. “Young man,” said the professor, “If you can tell me something God can do, I’ll give you a big shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!”

That innocent response from the young boy captures the reality of the immensity of God’s ability-there is nothing He cannot do! That is a way of expressing God’s omnipotence; He has the ability to do all things. Our God is all powerful.

“Is anything impossible for the Lord?”

Genesis 18:14a HCSB

“I know You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted”

Job 42:2 HCSB

“Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!”

Jeremiah 32:17 HCSB

“Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 HCSB

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 HCSB

I often stand in awe of God’s power when I consider that He can do anything effortlessly. There are no bounds or limits to His power. Unlike us human beings or anything else in creation, God does not need to expend more energy on one thing than another thing. In fact, He does not need to rest to replenish His energy after completing any task.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Yahweh is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never grows faint or weary…”

Isaiah 40:28 HCSB

This segment of Psalm 139 (verses 13-15) only deals with one aspect of the demonstration of God’s immense power. Creation is an expression of God’s unlimited ability. Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:20 are passages of the Bible that point this out to us quite clearly. Psalm 139 however focuses on the phenomena of man’s creation and birth. As a medical doctor myself, I am just astounded by even just the complexity of the mechanisms of the physiological processes of our physical bodies. I recognize that aside this, there is still a whole lot more in the unseen immaterial aspect of man. All of it demonstrating that our God is undoubtedly awesome.

I even stand more amazed when I contemplate on the reality that all of God’s greatness and power displayed in creation is described in Scriptures as “the mere fringes of His force, the faintest whisper…” (Job 26:14). Think about that. All of creation is just the outskirts, the border, and periphery of God’s ability. Can you then imagine the fullness of His ability or the thunder of His magnificent power?

“…Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

Ephesians 3:20 KJV

Muse with me this week dear friend on this truth about God’s awesome power and allow His Spirit fill your heart with comfort, confidence and assurance of victory.

My song for the week is "Our God" by Chris Tomlin

Our Ever Present God

“Where can I go to escape from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I go up to heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.

If I live at the eastern horizon,

Or settle at the western limits,

Even there Your hand will lead me;

Your right hand will hold on to me.

If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me

And the light around me will be night,’

Even the darkness is not dark to You;

The night shines like the day,

Darkness and light are alike to You.”

Psalm 139:7-12 HCSB

Maintaining our focus on Psalm 139 again this week, my heart is drawn to the next section of this Psalm that eloquently speaks of God’s omnipresence. Just as mentioned last week with the word omniscience, omnipresence is not a word that is directly mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. However, it is an attribute of God that is described in several portions of the Bible.

“Can a man hide himself in secret places where I cannot see him? – the Lord’s declaration. Do not I fill the heavens and the earth? – the Lord’s declaration.”

Jeremiah 23:24 HCSB

“…Even heaven, the highest heaven cannot contain You…”

1^st Kings 8:27 HCSB

Not only does God know what happens everywhere as we considered last week, He is present everywhere at all times. The Psalmist elucidates to us that God’s presence is unlimited by space, unstopped by speed and unaffected by darkness (verses 8 &9). The Scriptures do not teach us that God is present in everything as an impersonal force (like pantheism teaches) and also do not teach us that God only watches us from afar or at a distance.

All though out history and even till present day, man has tried to confine God’s presence to only particular locations. The Jews for instance saw God’s presence as limited to the temple in Jerusalem. Later on in history, some people began to believe that God’s presence was limited to hills or mountains (see 1^st Kings 20:23). Some people still think in this way. And even now, many Christians think that God is confined in heaven.

However, we must realize that God isn’t confined to any location. He may be ignored, but He cannot be avoided. He is the ever present God. To chip this in, God’s omnipresence is one of the attributes that demonstrate His incomparable greatness and absolute awesomeness. Some of us are so scared of the devil and we think that the devil is almost as great as our God. The devil however, cannot lay any claim to omniscience or omnipresence.

This reality of God’s enduring presence should always bring comfort and assurance of support for the believer. The truth is that for believers in Christ, God is present with us anywhere we are in a relational sense. He is not just present with us but He is committed in unending love and faithfulness toward us. So we must always remember that no matter the situation or circumstance, trial of life or tribulation, whether we are in Cape Coast, Cairo, Chicago, Coventry or Christchurch, God is ever present.

“…for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you”

Hebrews 13:5 HCSB

“…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”

Matthew 28:20 HCSB

Muse with me on this Psalm again this week as we worship our ever present God.

My song for the week is "I am not alone" by Kari Jobe.

Our All-Knowing God

“Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I stand up;

You understand my thoughts from far away.

You observe my travels and my rest;

You are aware of all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue,

You know all about it, Lord.

You have encircled me;

You have placed Your hand on me.

This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.

It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.”

Psalm 139:1-6 HCSB

The Wall Street Journal in December 2008 reported on some predictions that had been made about America for 2010. The predictions were made by Russian Professor Igor Panarin, who was the dean of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s academy for future diplomats, and a former KGB analyst. Because of his pedigree, many people paid attention to his predictions that the U.S. would fall apart in 2010. It did not happen. Professor Panarin obviously did not have all the facts and did not have all the knowledge to make an accurate prediction.

He is not the only one in history to have made wrong predictions however. Consider the following statements that were reported to have been made by some people:

·         “Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances”- Dr Lee De Forest, inventor of the vacuum tube and father of the television

·         “Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy!”-Drillers who Edwin L Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.

·         “It will be years-not in my time-before a woman will become Prime Minister”-Margaret Thatcher, 1969 (she later became Prime Minister in 1979)

There are many more examples that illustrate one common thing about us human beings: we have limited knowledge and grasp of facts or details about everything. We do not have all the detailed memory of the past. We do not know everything about the present and we certainly know almost next to nothing about the future.  

Psalm 139 however reminds us that God is not like us. The Psalm is a song of praise written by David to God in recognition of His omniscience (Psalms 139:1-6), omnipresence (verses 7-12) and omnipotence (verses 13-18). This week, I’m drawn to just focus on His omniscience.

Though the term is not found anywhere in the Bible, omniscience as an attribute of God is described in many verses of the Scriptures:

“Our Lord is great, vast in power;

His understanding is infinite”

Psalm 147:5 HCSB

“No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account”

Hebrews 4:13 HCSB

“…God is greater than our conscience and He knows all things”

1^st John 3:20 HCSB.

Our God has all knowledge. He is all-knowing. There is no detail or fact that is outside the scope of His knowledge. He knows all the minutest details of our external circumstances and characteristics including the very hair on our heads (Luke 12:7). He also knows the unseen, internal condition of our hearts (Psalm 139:4, Acts 1:24, Romans 8:27).

This understanding should bring us comfort and assurance, as we realize that we have a God who will never be taken by surprise by anything at all. He saw all our mess, knows all of our human frailties, our weaknesses and He chose to make His home in our hearts so He sent His Son to die in our place. It also makes me realize that I cannot hide away from Him-He even knows my heart! It draws my heart to trust Him even more-He knows even the future so I should stop worrying and rather put my faith in Him.

Muse with me on this Psalm this week and let us together remain in awe of our all-knowing God.

My song for the week is "He Knows My Name" by Maranatha Singers.

He Remains Faithful...

"…Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.”

Psalm 27:10 HCSB

An earthquake almost flattened Armenia (a former Soviet Republic) in 1988, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. On the morning of the day the earthquake occurred, Samuel had sent his young son, Armand, to school with a simple promise: "No matter what, I'll always be there for you!"

Samuel and his wife, Danielle themselves were safe after the earthquake but they couldn’t get any information about their son Armand. They had only heard on the radio that there were many casualties. So Samuel headed to Armand’s school only to find a pile of debris.

The ruin and devastation was enormous and the situation looked very hopeless. Other parents stood around crying but Samuel kept remembering his commitment to his son. He located the place where Armand’s classroom used to be and began digging through the rubble.

One of the other parents asked, “What are you doing?” and Samuel replied, “Digging for my son”. The man along with other parents as well as the Fire Chief and even the Police tried to stop him from digging the rubble making statements such as:

"It's too late!"

"They're dead!"

"You can't help!"

"Come on, face reality, there's nothing you can do!"

"You're just going to make things worse!"

"Fires are breaking out, explosions are happening everywhere. You're in danger. We'll take care of it. Go home."

"You're angry, distraught and it's over. You're endangering others. Go home. We'll handle it!" 

To each person, Samuel responded with one line: "Are you going to help me now?" And he just continued digging for his son, beam after beam, and stone after stone.    

Other parents brought flowers and pictures of their children on the ruins of the school but Samuel kept digging. He dug all through the night and into the next day. Eight hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, he kept digging.

Then after 38 hours, he pushed a beam out of the way and heard a faint voice. Then he heard a muffled voice, “Papa?” Samuel dug more furiously and finally he could see his son, Armand. “Come on out, son!” Samuel said. “No,” Armand said. “Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me”. 13 other children appeared before Armand finally emerged from the ruins. Samuel held him in his arms and Armand said, “I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me!”

Being a father myself, this story is so touching. It is an illustration of the depth of a parent’s love. The story also demonstrates the power of commitment/faithfulness-14 children were rescued from the ruins of a collapsed classroom because one father was faithful. Despite the visible devastation, he did not allow anything or anyone stop him from following through with his promise to his son.

Even this most exemplary display of human love and faithfulness depicted in the story pales when compared with the commitment and faithfulness of our God as David expressed in Psalm 27:10-even if everyone else abandons us, God will not. It is a reality God confirms speaking through the prophet Isaiah:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,

or lack compassion for the child of her womb?

Even if these forget,

yet I will not forget you…”

Isaiah 49:15 HCSB

As human beings we live in a world filled with uncertainties. Global and national economic recessions. People break promises. Leaders in government do not keep to their words. Friends and even family members sometimes fail us. Sadly, some marriages fail because somehow people change and circumstances don’t just remain the same.

However, we have a God who is faithful.

“Lord, Your faithful love reaches to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds.”

Psalm 36:5 HCSB

“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”

Lamentations 3: 22, 23 HCSB

“Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”

James 1:17 HCSB

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself”

2^nd Timothy 2:13 HCSB

This week dear one, I ask you to muse with me on this Psalm as we meditate on God’s faithfulness. Our God is steadfast in His affection and constant in His commitment. He is unchanging, He is unchangeable in fact. This was the ground of David’s confidence. This revelation of God’s character should inspire us to trust Him in every situation and draw our hearts in reverential adoration. Our God remains faithful.

My song for the week is "Faithful God" by Gateway Worship.

God Our Sufficiency

“God is our refuge and strength,

Always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come

And the mountains crumble into the sea”

Psalms 46:1, 2 New Living Translation

Psalms 46 to 48 are considered by some to be a Trilogy of Psalms celebrating the same event. The precise historical origin is not exactly clear. Some scholars think it was composed when Jerusalem was under a siege by Sennacherib’s army (2^nd Kings 18:1-37) while some others think it is a reference to Jehoshaphat’s deliverance from the combined forces of the bordering nations (2nd Chronicles 20:1-37).

The lessons from the Psalm are however undeniable. The truth contained therein so comforting, bringing such assurance to the heart of the believer in a powerful way. So much so that this Psalm was one of Martin Luther’s favorite Psalms and it was the inspiration behind his hymn, “A Mighty fortress is our God”.

The scene seems to be one of deep turmoil and uncontrolled confused, noisy disturbance. The earth itself was trembling; the firm and lofty mountains were being toppled into the depths of the seas and the waters were roaring and foaming. Yet, in that wild tumultuous tempest, the Psalmist paints a picture of a tranquil city of God.

The ground of assurance for the Psalmist according to verses 1, 2, 5, 7 and 11 is in nothing else but the very presence and power of God. They could have trusted in the skill and might of their army or the strength of the walls surrounding their city. But no, the Psalm doesn’t celebrate any of those. The Psalm celebrates the sufficiency of God even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

I have seen that this truth is sometimes lost in our consciousness. Since the dawn of human history, humanity has prided himself in his ability to meet his needs by his own efforts. Adam and Eve’s attempt to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves seems to have set us into a pattern of drawing up man-made inventions and plans for every situation. There is however a limit to what our human strengths and abilities can achieve. This Psalm teaches us to continually place our trust in God as He is able to bring deliverance even in the most extreme adversity. He Himself is our refuge and strength.

This week I want to leave us with this thought from verse 10 of this Psalm:

“Be still and know that I am God!”

Muse with me this week on this Psalm. Gain freedom from anxiety, despair and worry in the midst of turmoil. As we meditate on this Psalm and other verses from His word, God’s Spirit produces in us a calm, trustful state of mind drawing confidence in the assurance of God’s presence and power in our lives.  

My song for the week is “Still” by Hillsong United

"Still" by Hillsong United

Transformed Speech (3)

In the last 2 weeks, we have been considering the topic of our speech and how our words are very important. We have also pointed out that God expects His children to have a new kind of speech which I termed a “transformed speech”. In this concluding post, I want to briefly address the issue of how we can develop the type of speech that God expects of us His children.

I will direct us to a few passages of the Holy Scriptures in this regard:

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart”

Matthew 12:33-35 New Living Translation (Emphasis mine)

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Luke 6:45 New Living Translation (Emphasis mine)

These 2 passages are from recorded teachings of our Lord Jesus when He was on earth and they give us profound insight into the issue under consideration. Words are a reflection of the contents of our hearts and our speech will never rise above the state of our hearts. To say this in a different way: rotten words will come from a rotten heart and only a transformed heart will express transformed speech.

To be precise, it’s not only our words that spring from our hearts. Even our attitudes and actions are outflows of our hearts (see Matthew 7:21-23 and Matthew 15:19). This is the reason the Scriptures continually instruct us on guarding our hearts and keeping a watch on what we allow to dwell in our hearts:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Proverbs 4:23 KJV

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Philippians 4:8 New Living Translation

I must stress it again: a transformed speech will only proceed from a transformed heart. This means we must continually allow the word of God settle and take root in our hearts. And as we fix our thoughts on true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable things, the words that proceed from our mouths will be gracious words just as it was said of our Lord Jesus: “Everyone spoke well of Him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from His lips…” (Luke 4:22).

Photo credit: http://www.carolecgood.com

Final Thoughts…

Sometimes we only hear good things being said about people at their funerals. We call such speeches eulogies. The word “eulogy” come from the Greek word “eulogia” which means “good speech” or “fine language”. It means that the word eulogy itself is not necessarily tied to funerals or to dead people though we generally only associate it to these. We can actually “speak well” of the living. We can “eulogize” our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours.

Someone I respect once said “Our parents were generous with criticism and frugal with praise or commendation”. Apparently, the assumption is that if you commend people, they will become conceited and full of themselves. But I think when we hold on to such mind sets, we are robbing ourselves of the powerful positive effects of our words. Those words of commendation (or eulogies) will go a long way in creating a healthy milieu for children and also provide needed affirmation in peoples’ lives.

Think about this.

Transformed Speech (2)

I recently read the true story of a Music Teacher who made a difference in a student’s life by speaking the right words to him. Unknown to the teacher and even his own family, this student had been suffering verbal abuse at the hands of his older brother and this had severely affected the student. His academic performance had been poor all through the year and even his social functioning had become quite impaired. It had become so bad that he had decided to commit suicide on the last day of the school year. He left a suicide note at home but decided to meet his teacher for a final time to receive the result of his end of year assessment.

In the teacher’s words, the student looked terrible. He had sunken eyes with dark circles under them. He appeared pale and was wearing the clothes he had worn for the last few weeks of the school year. He then said to his teacher: “I know that I am getting a low grade on my final. I realize that I have not been participating in class and that I am an embarrassment to others. I am lazy, selfish, stupid and an ugly no-good-for-anything person. I have no place on this earth and what’s more, no one can ever love a person like me. I am a hopeless case with absolutely no future.”

When he finished, the teacher faced him and said to him, “Edward, your final grade is an A”. The student was completely surprised. “You are giving me an A? Me? Why would you give me an A when I did such a poor job in class, on my assignments and on my final exam. Why would you do that?”

The teacher’s answer to Edward was this: “You may appear to be a D student, but you are an A person. I believe in you now and I will always believe in you. I am here for you now and I will always be here for you. Never, ever forget that. Now, go and create the life you dream of. Believe in yourself. I will be watching. And by the way Edward-I love you”.

Later that night, the teacher got a call from a Priest in Edward’s Church thanking her on behalf of Edward’s family for saving his life. The words the teacher spoke to him that day changed Edward’s life. He had left the teacher’s office feeling positive and uplifted for the first time in his life. Even though he already had a rope hanging in the closet for his planned suicide, Edward abandoned the plan after hearing those words from his teacher.

According to the story, Edward re-enrolled in the Music Theory Class the next semester and worked hard, passing his final exam this time 100% and had a genuine A+. All these happened in the 1970s.

By 2010, Edward had become a successful Dentist in California, married to a beautiful wife with 4 sweet children. He was also volunteering with abused children, helping them to find love, acceptance and hope.

This story is a powerful illustration of how we ought to use our words. Can you just imagine what would have happened if Edward never heard those words from his teacher? Each day, life presents us with countless opportunities to use our words (our 16, 000 words, remember?). You have a choice on how you will use your words but I will direct our hearts to some verses of Scripture from the New Living Translation:

“The words of the godly are like sterling silver…”

Proverbs 10:20

“The words of the godly encourage many…”

Proverbs 10:21

“The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice…”

Proverbs 10:31

“The lips of the godly speak helpful words…”

Proverbs 10:32

“Wise words bring many benefits…”

Proverbs 12:14

“Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”

Proverbs 16:24

“Do not use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them”

Ephesians 4:29

Rather than engaging in “rotten” speech that tears people down and destroys relationships, I encourage you to adopt a transformed speech that brings health, healing, encouragement and life in every sphere of human existence. This week, whether at home, with your spouse or children, with neighbours or at work with your colleagues, say the right words.

To be continued…

Note: The full story of Edward and his Music Teacher can be read on https://letterpile.com/creative-writing/The-Power-of-Words-An-Amazing-Story