Introduction:
Back in the 70’s, TM (Transcendental Meditation) was
first introduced to the Western world by its founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, as
a scientifically sound, nonreligious psychological exercise designed to relieve
stress, to bring peace to the inner man, thereby having a positive effect on
society, and to enable the advanced practitioner to participate in astral
projection (his soul leaving his body) and levitation. But TM is nothing more
than Hinduism, which denies the biblical Godhead, the Deity of Christ, the
doctrines of the atonement, sin, and salvation by grace through the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ. It replaces resurrection with reincarnation, and grace, faith
and obedience to the Gospel, with man made works.
Some brethren became negative concerning ‘meditation’ because
of TM, but the Scripture’s abound with examples and exhortations to be deeply
involved in ‘meditation’.
I. What is Meditation?
A.
Definition:
Hebrew (O.T.) – “To mutter, to muse, to talk with oneself, to meditate. Greek
(N.T.) – “To care for, be diligent in, to ponder, to imagine, to practice.”
Meditation involves a practice of thinking with oneself, using one’s mind to
ponder various things, to be involved in thought.
B.
We need to remember
that our Creator knows what our thoughts are:
Amos
4:12,13.
C.
Isaac meditated: Genesis
24:63; “And Isaac went out to
meditate in the field at the eventide..”
D.
God told Joshua: Joshua
1:6-9. Meditation
of God’s Law helps us to apply it to our lives!
E.
ISBE – “The lack
of meditation is a great want in our modern religious life”
It
seems that Satan is always looking for ways to fill every second of our passing
day with worldly things, TV, radio, movies, recreational activities,
you name it! Hardly any time left for
‘spiritual meditation’!! Would we want God to consider OUR meditation? Psalms 5:1.
II. But WHAT are we to meditate upon?
A. God and His Works: Psalms 63:1-8 (Prayer is
a natural consequence of spiritual meditation; Psalms
77:10-15;
143:5, 6;
Isaiah 40:21-31; 43:10-13; 44:18-24; 45:9-13, 18, 21-25.
1. His Attributes: Psalms 103
B. God and His Law: Psalms 1:1-3; 119:15, 16, 23, 24, 48,
61, 78, 83, 140-144, 176, 97, 99, 148.
C. Examples from the inspired apostle Paul:
1. Philippians
4:8, 9
2. I Timothy
4:15
3. Colossians
3:1-4
III. How well have I applied God’s Word to my life
today?
Self-inspecting meditation:
1.
In the workplace?
2.
In the home, with
my family?
3.
With my brethren?
4.
How did I use the
time in this day?
a.
Prayer?
b.
Bible study?
c.
Meditation on
spiritual things?
IV. Conclusion
Let us all make every effort to put more spiritual
meditation into our daily lives. Remember: “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh
to you…” James 4:8.
Let
us say: “Let
the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy
sight, O Jehovah, my Rock, and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14.
