The Power of Meditation

This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with a mini-series within it entitled “Focusing on the Word”.  We have been studying Joshua chapter one for a couple of weeks.  In this chapter the Lord clearly told Joshua to focus on His Word.  If Joshua was going to be successful he was going to have to keep the Word of God ON His mind and IN his mouth, for the purposes of actually DOING everything it says.  

In Joshua 1:8 the Lord said the following to Joshua: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.”  This morning I am away from home, getting ready to head home in a few minutes.  On Wednesday, when I left home, I took some time to meditate Joshua 1:8.  The more I meditated it, the more it ministered to me.  It was as if the Lord was taking a verse I have known for years and REpresenting it to me in new ways.  This morning, as I prayed over what to share with you, the Lord reminded me of Wednesday and led me to discuss with you The Power of Meditation.  When I say “Meditation”, I specifically mean meditating on the Word of God.

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things.

1.  There are layers and layers of revelation in the Word of God.  God can show you an old scripture in a new way every day of your life.

2.  The first time you read a verse or passage of scripture you are looking for the context — for the who, what, when, where, why and how.  But once you get past that, the Lord can begin to reveal the scripture or passage to you in a new and deeper way.

3.  You can read a chapter of the Bible in five minutes, but you can meditate on one verse for 5 months.

4.  The more you meditate (or medicate) on a particular scripture, the more revelation the Holy Spirit will unpack and unveil to you.

5.  I have many examples of meditating scripture.  The one I will share with you was back in 2008.  My family was making a major transition that year.  In January I attended a conference where I heard Pastor George Matthews teach on Romans 15:13, where Paul said, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  It was as if the words leaped off the pages of my Bible.  The Holy Spirit made it very clear to me that I was to stand on that verse for the entire year.  I meditated and meditated and Romans 15:13 every day of 2008.  No matter what happened I trusted in the God of Hope.  No matter what I faced, I had JOY and PEACE IN BELIEVING.  I was able to ABOUND IN HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And it came simply by meditating on one verse the Lord highlighted to me.

6.  Meditation is not just reading.  Meditation requires deep thought and serious contemplation.  You owe it to yourself to meditate the Word of God.  You will be amazed how real the Word can become in your life when you choose to give it your attention and focus.

Closing Confession:   Father, this is a season of refined focus for me.  In this season I strip away anything that is unnecessary and unproductive.  I bring my life into focus by taking control of my mind.  I meditate and medicate on Your Word day and night.  I read, study, meditate and contemplate what You have said.  As I spend time thinking about what You have said, I am in position to clearly hear what You are saying to me now.  You unpack layers and layers of revelation for me.  I am able to see old scriptures in a new way and this revelation impacts every area of my life.  I am able to hear and see beyond what I can hear and see in the natural, because I take the time to slow down and meditate Your Word.  Living this way 2016 shall be the best year of my life!  Not by my power, but only by Your grace!  I declare this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.