Meditation: The Lifestyle of a Christian

The righteous/blessed one does it.: Meditation as a FACT

• PART 1: It Is a Characteristic of the Blessed One
  
• PART 2: WHEN DOES HE DO IT?
  
• PART 3: WHERE?

PART 1: It Is a Characteristic of the Blessed One

Psalm 1 - He does it. Therefore he is blessed! [This is contrasted with the wicked.]

• * See the separate study on Psalm 1*

PART 2: When Does He Do It?

• Whenever - day or night!

Psalm 1:2 - Day and Night

• Theme: He meditates on the Word
  
• [See the separate study on Psalm 1, for further details.]

Psalm 63:6 - "I think about you all night long"

• The Theme of His Thoughts: Longing to be with God. [Specific context: He is in the wilderness at this time, away from the temple. The general principle, regarding a desire for fellowship with God, can be applicable in any situation.]
  
• He is thinking about God when others are not aware of it. [Compare with the Jesus' statement: "the Father sees what is done in secret" (Matthew 6:4; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 6:18).]

Psalm 119:97, 148 - All day long (v. 97) and all night (v. 148)

• In other words, "at all times." 
• Themes (context of these verses): the blessings of living in obedience to the Word, prayer for deliverance from enemies, and trust in God's Word.
  
• The whole Psalm is a good one to meditate on!

PART 3: WHERE?

• Anywhere... including:

Psalm 63:3 - "On my bed."

Psalm 48:9 - At the place of worship ("within your temple").

[Many other passages exist, but they don't have the specific word "meditate" in the context.]

Such a lifestyle is our goal. As we grow in Christ, we will increase in this!

QUESTIONS:

1. When do you think about God and his Word? Do you omit him from parts of your life? Is there any area of your life in which he doesn't deserve to have a part? 

2. If there is an area of your life that you are excluding him from, what are you going to do about it? [You may have to explore this issue further, before you can give a full answer to this question.]

Dennis Hinks © 1996, 2004
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