The ABCs 6
As we mentioned in our last post, the Word of God must be our foundation, our standard for truth, our plumbline, our anchor, our final authority. If we have not decided to agree with God’s Word, we will be tossed about with every wind of doctrine or new fad that comes along. We will place our trust in the philosophies and ways of the world that are contrary to God (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2), and sadly, we will exalt our feelings, opinions, and ideas above God Himself. That is not a good place to be!
Before we dive deeper let us consider another aspect of importance regarding God’s revelation to us through His Word. The Father is eternal. He was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8). He gives us His Word that we may know Him, and become a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). His Word gives us understanding of how we are to conduct our lives so we can accomplish His will. His Word and His will work in perfect harmony. To know His will, we must know His Word and be led by His Spirit.
God commanded Joshua to meditate upon the Law (His Word) so that he could do it and prosper. The same principle applies to us in the New Testament. The doers of the Word are blessed (James 1:22-25). As we saw in our past few posts, the one who builds his or her life on the words of Christ is the one who will endure the storms of life (Matthew 7:24-25). Even now, there are storms brewing on the horizon that will catch most off guard, unless they are hearkening to the voice of the Lord and diligently pursuing obedience to His Word.
The word meditate in the Old Testament (hagah) means to murmur, to ponder, imagine, mutter, meditate, utter, roar. This can be life changing (if we put it into practice). Meditation on God’s word means we will not be wasting time thinking about other things that are not godly or beneficial to our walk with the Lord. We will have to make a conscious effort to quiet our minds, and take captive our imagination to practice meditation on the Word of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
There are ways we can develop a habit of spending time in God’s Word. The first way would be to read the scriptures. A general knowledge of God and His will can be found by just reading His Word. As you read, certain passages may seem to leap off the page and become illuminated to your heart and mind. That is a good place to stop and consider what God is speaking to you through that passage. It may be on forgiveness, or overcoming temptation, or walking by faith. By reflecting upon those passages we can grow in our faith, love, and devotion to Him.
Meditation in God’s Word has long been dismissed by the modern church. The emphasis in modern church culture has been on reading a chapter or two every day, or going through the Bible in one year. This is important and gives us a glimpse of God’s Word and a general overall outlook on the scriptures… but to go deeper one most learn to meditate upon the Word just as Joshua was instructed. Meditation is like savoring every bite of a delicious meal. It is not the hurried fast food most people gobble down on their lunch 30-minute break each day before returning to work.
Meditating on God’s Word can help us overcome the sin that so easily besets us (Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 119:11). Let us consider an example of how we might begin to meditate upon the Word of God. If we are struggling with fear, we may want to find passages that deal with overcoming fear, walking in victory, and being bold in the Lord. We might find scriptures like:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
As we take time to reflect upon this passage, we understand God is not responsible for our fear. He has not given us a spirit of fear. He only gives us a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. He is not part of our emotional dysfunction. That is something the world, the devil, and our unrenewed mind produces.
As we ponder that truth, we might cross reference other passages that are related. For example, Jesus said,
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
We realize Jesus does not want us to live in fear and torment. He wants us to abide in His peace.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
As we reflect, contemplate, and repeatedly consider these and other passages, we can begin to move away from living a life of fear and torment, to one of peace and rest in the Lord.
When the Word of God takes root in our hearts, we will be like the psalmist and boldly declare,
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
So, the next time we read the scriptures and a passage seems to speak directly to us, let us stop and examine our hearts to see how it applies to our current spiritual condition and attitude. Let us determine to apply those principles to our lives. Also, the next time we sense the Lord dealing with us about a character flaw in our lives, or the next time we intentionally want to mature in an area, let us take time to meditate upon His Word and allow it to germinate in our spirit. Then, and only then, can we expect biblical results to manifest.
Until next time, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.
James Brown
CST 10/20/2026
