Meditating on Scripture takes time, but it also requires that we draw near to God through prayer and searching other Scriptures. And yet there’s more. Today’s excerpt from The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart is found on pages 76 and 77:

“As we’re meditating, it’s a good idea to have before our minds the larger story of what the Bible is all about – God’s covenant and Kingdom, and His redemptive work in Jesus Christ – and to keep in mind the precious and very great promises that God has made to us His people. God did not speak personally to Moses about his own life until He had first rehearsed to him His larger plan to bring the blessings of redemption and the promises of life to His chosen people.

“Our meditation may become too narrowly focused unless we are always remembering the overarching narrative of Scripture and the precious and very great promises whereby God brings us to partake of His own nature and presence in our Lord Jesus Christ. You might even use these ideas as an outline for the questions you want to ask or the notes you take.

“Finally, listen carefully for the Lord to speak to you about your place in that narrative, which of the promises He is holding out to you, what He is calling you to do for this day, how you should run to apply what you have read and heard, based on this particular part of His Word.

“Let your mind, heart, and conscience become fully engaged with God’s will, until you can embrace it gladly and eagerly, and go forth ready to serve the Lord. Think about the day ahead – the people you’ll see, work you’ll do, and places you’ll go. Wait on the Lord to show you how His goodness can come to light through you, following the teaching of His Word.

“Take the time to meditate, so that your reading of God’s Word will plant it deeply in your soul and bear lasting fruit in your everyday life.”

For reflection or discussion
1. Why is meditation such an important part of hearing God’s Word truly?

2. Can we grow in the Lord apart from taking time to meditate on Him and His Word? Why or why not?

God knows we are busy and easily distracted. Nevertheless, He has made us to know, love, and serve Him, and meditating on God’s Word is an important resource for hearing God and growing in Him. The sooner we add meditation to our daily disciplines, the more we will see and love Jesus. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to encourage one another in the discipline of meditating on God’s Word. Your copy of The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart awaits you at The Ailbe Bookstore as a free download that you can put on your e-reader.

T. M. Moore

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