Dear Christian,
In this fallen, sin-cursed world, we must continually play offense against discouragement, anxiety, and depression. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are constantly attacking are souls like sea waves beating against a retaining wall. Therefore, we must learn to fortify our souls with God’s Word in order to vanquish our enemies and all their devious tactics.
We do this by meditating upon Scripture and giving thanks to God in prayer. As Thomas Reade once wrote, “The more we meditate on the things of God, as revealed in his Holy Word, the more will our minds be brought under their sanctifying influence. The religion of Christ is the religion of the heart. It not only enlightens the understanding, but it purifies the affections.” There is no magic involved in this activity. Beating back discouragement, anxiety, and depression does not happen overnight. As a weightlifter builds his physical muscles over a long period of time by exercising in the gym, so the habitual daily exercise of meditating upon God’s Word and faithful prayer are the means the Holy Spirit uses to encourage, strengthen, and fortify the believer’s soul. This principle is taught in Proverbs 6:20-23, “My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
The two main Old Testament Hebrew words, translated as “meditate” in our English Bibles, means to “ponder, mutter, speak, study, talk, utter, meditate, muse, pray, or talk with.” Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Notice that meditation is unto obedience. Also read Psalm 1:2; 4:4; 63; 77:11-12; 119:15; 143:5; 145:5. In the New Testament, the two Greek words translated into the English as “meditate” means to “take inventory, take account of, reason, think on (Phil. 4:8), to take care of, or revolve in the mind (1 Tim. 4:9-15).
Today, take the time to revolve in your mind and speak to your heart the benefits Christ has merited for His people. Let me give you just a few of those benefits to get you started on the path of Scripture meditation. May this sacred activity be your lifelong desire and practice as you seek to grow in a deeper love relationship with our sovereign God.
• GRACE: Ephesians 2:4-8
• FAITH: Ephesians 2:8-9
• FORGIVENESS: Ephesians 4:32
• BLESSINGS: Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3
• CARE: 1 Peter 5:7
• PROVISION: Matthew 6:26
• COMFORT: 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 13
• PEACE: Romans 5; Philippians 4:7
• LOVE: Romans 5:5
• TRUTH: John 8:32
• JOY: John 15:11
• HOPE: Psalm 42
Friday Devotional: November 13, 2020
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry