A walking Meditation

Day 182, 07/09/2010, A walking Meditation, Genesis 24:62-67

Meanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had returned from Beer-lahai-roi. One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming. When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted from her camel. "Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?" she asked the servant. And he replied, "It is my master." So Rebekah covered her face with her veil. Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother. NLT


I love getting out in nature and prayer walking with God. It is a refreshing thing, to be in the land unhindered by development and crowds of people. It seems easier to focus and meditate on God.
Today I encourage you to find a place where you can be away even in some small way from the crush of society and alone with God in nature. Maybe it is a tree in your favorite part of your yard, a nearby park or an open space but set aside some time there for you and God and meditate on Him not just His creation. You never know how He will work in those times. Be sure to take the Word with you so that you can respond according to it as He ministers to you.

When Life Hinders Meditation

When Life Hinders Meditation, Job 15:1-4

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:

2 "Should the wise answer with windy knowledge,and fill themselves with the east wind?

3 Should they argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which they can do no good?
4 But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God.
5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
The material below is from “A Year With God,” by Dr Richard Foster.
In this passage job’s friend Elipaz, accuses Job of “hindering meditation before God.”
He argues that Job has no right to question God, that such talk is “unprofitable.” Listening, quiet ruminations before God, would be a better way to deal with Job’s situation, he seems to be saying. But the central problem for Job is that God will not talk to him, will not explain to him why this disproportionate suffering has been visited upon him. The silence of God is a theological problem in the book of Job. We honor the mysteries of God by allowing our confusion, anger, hopelessness, and grief to mount along with Job’s as the book develops.
Has there ever been a time in your life when what one person said or did seemed to hamper your ability to meditate on the things of God or talk with God?
God, there are times when I feel that you will not talk to me, to explain to me why I feel a certain way or why a certain thing has happened. Lord, help me to keep asking, to keep opening my heart to you and asking you to shape it. In your name I pray, Amen.

Meditating in the Watches of the Night

Meditating in the Watches of the Night, Psalm 63:5-8
5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
6 when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me. NRSV


The material below is from “A Year With God,’ by Dr Richard Foster.
Psalm 63 calls especially for focused attention on God. Far from being boring or a chore, the singer finds the experience to be one of joy. When the disciple looks upon God, thinks of Him, and meditates on Him, his “soul is satisfied as with a feast.”

‘Have you found your meditative prayer practice to be joyful?
Only to sit and think of God,
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name
Earth has no higher bliss. By Frederick W. Faber

Resting and Reflecting

Day 14, in our Study of Meditation 07/06/2010, Resting and Reflecting, Numbers 29:1

1 ON THE first day of the seventh month [on New Year's Day of the civil year], you shall have a holy [summoned] assembly; you shall do no servile work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets for you [everyone blowing who wishes, proclaiming that the glad New Year has come and that the great Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles are now approaching]. AMP
The material below is from the book, A Year With God,” by Dr. Richard Foster which is featured in todays photo.
Built into the religious calendar of the Israelites was a day to rest and blow trumpets. Taking time to rest is important in the spiritual life. Rest is not merely the state of doing no work. Rest is a time for refreshment. It may be a time to reflect on the past or plan for the future. It is also a time for worshiping God. The Sabbath is an intentional time set apart for worship. Our souls receive true peace and strength when we worship God. Rest is a Spiritual Discipline that requires and also restores our trust in God. Out trust grows as we see how God fulfills our needs even when we are working. We realize we don’t need to earn God’s provision. Rest helps us reside in the unconditional, unfailing and forgiving love of God.


Meditation is a wonderful way to rest in God. Today think of your meditative prayer time as a resting in God, seeking the refreshment only God can give. Relax, close your eyes even allow yourself to fall asleep if that is what tour body wants. When you awake, thank God for the gift of rest.

You can the daily devotion on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=237088564302/

Think About These Things

Day 13 in our study of meditation.

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. AMP


The material below is from the book, “A Year With God, “ by Dr Richard Foster.
The spiritual Life is a cooperative transformation of thought and action. First, God is at work in us, enabling us”both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (2:13). Yet we also have a part to play. As Paul urges, we must choose to think of the things of God and choose to do the things of God. As we model our thoughts after the highest of standards and model our lives after the life and message of Paul himself, we will find that the “God of Peace” himself accompanies us on our transforming journey.


Lord God, I return to you today to meditate on those things that are excellent and “worthy of praise.” Throughout my day it seems that my thoughts are on everything but what is just, pure, pleasing and commendable. Guide my thoughts, Lord; teach me about what is excellent and praiseworthy in your sight, that I may honor you in thought, word and deed. Amen.

The Meditation of the Heart

Day 12 in our Study of MEDITATION

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” —Psalm 19:14 The material below is from “A Year With God,” by Dr Richard J. Foster

This familiar verse invites God’s scrutiny and correction (see 139:23-24). The word translated “meditation” here would be better rendered “whisperings” or “murmurings.” Welcoming God’s knowing and shaping of our inner talk deepens our vulnerability. It is a huge step in our formation.
Joyce Huggett writes, “We meditate to give God’s words the opportunity to penetrate not just our minds, but our emotions—the places where we hurt—and our will—the place where we make choices and decisions. We meditate to encounter the Living Word, Jesus Himself. We meditate so the every part of our being, our thoughts and our affections and our ambitions, are turned to face and honour and glorify him. Yet another reason for learning to meditate is so that we may become conversant with the will of God.”10 Use this quote as inspiration for your meditation today. Or you may wish to begin with this prayer.


Father God, today I come to you in meditative prayer. I ask that you open my heart to whatever you want to show me. Guide my meditations, my inner whispers, in the way that is acceptable and pleasing to you. I want so much for you to shape my inner being, yet I don’t often seem to succeed at setting aside the time for you to do this work. Help me to be consistent in my meditations over the coming days, that I may come to you eagerly to learn, to be changed. In your name I pray. Amen.
Artwork: Majestic Lion of Judah by William Hallmark

SETTING OUR MINDS ON GOD

SETTING OUR MINDS ON GOD
The following material is from “A Year With God,” by Dr Richard Foster


“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” —Colossians 3:1-2
For the next ten days, we will try to set our minds on the things that are above, practicing clearing out from our minds the noise of daily life and focusing on hearing God’s voice. Try to find a place that is as quiet and free of distractions as possible. Choose a comfortable position. Many prefer sitting on the floor or in a chair with feet flat on the ground. The idea is to be in a position comfortable enough that it requires no thought. You can close your eyes, or keep them open and focused on a religious item, perhaps a cross, or a tree or some other image from nature.


You might want to pick a word or phrase to keep your mind focused on God if you find yourself distracted by thoughts about work, household tasks, family, or a noise outside. “Jesus” or “Abba” is a good word to use. At first, you may find that your mind shoots out all kind of information at you, like a computer shutting down. Just try to relax as you work through this stage; keep repeating your word. Spiritual writer Madame Guyon writes: “Be assured that as your soul becomes more accustomed to withdrawing to inward things, this process will become easier. There are two reasons that you will find it easier each time to bring your mind under the subjection of the Lord. One is that the mind, after much practice, will form a new habit of turning deep within. The second is that you have a gracious Lord!”9


If you have not tried meditative prayer before, then start with five minutes or less. You can gradually work up to longer. You may find that God leads you to practical insights about your family or your life or events that have happened in your past or perhaps direct insights about God, his nature, and your relationship to him. The experience of meditative prayer is different for everyone. Many find it extremely helpful to keep a journal detailing their experiences and insights.

Musing on God’s Deeds

Day 10, 0702/2010, Musing on God’s Deeds, Psalm 77:11-15

11 I shall remember the deeds of the Lord ;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will meditate on all Your work
And muse on Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy;
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
You have made known Your strength among the peoples.
15 You have by Your power redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. NASU

Have you been meditating on God’s Word?
What difference is it making in your life?

I Search My Spirit

I Search My Spirit, Psalm 77:1-20
1 I WILL cry to God with my voice, even to God with my voice, and He will give ear and hearken to me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek (inquire of and desperately require) the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out [in prayer] without slacking up; I refuse to be comforted.
3 I [earnestly] remember God; I am disquieted and I groan; I muse in prayer, and my spirit faints [overwhelmed]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
4 You hold my eyes from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old, the years of bygone times [of prosperity].
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; with my heart I meditate and my spirit searches diligently:
7 Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more?
8 Have His mercy and loving-kindness ceased forever? Have His promises ended for all time?
9 Has God [deliberately] abandoned or forgotten His graciousness? Has He in anger shut up His compassion? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
10 And I say, This [apparent desertion of Israel by God] is my appointed lot and trial, but I will recall the years of the right hand of the Most High [in loving-kindness extended toward us], for this is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High changes.
11 I will [earnestly] recall the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will [earnestly] remember the wonders [You performed for our fathers] of old.
12 I will meditate also upon all Your works and consider all Your [mighty] deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary [in holiness, away from sin and guilt]. Who is a great God like our God?
14 You are the God Who does wonders; You have demonstrated Your power among the peoples.
15 You have with Your [mighty] arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
16 When the waters [at the Red Sea and the Jordan] saw You, O God, they were afraid; the deep shuddered also, for [all] the waters saw You.
17 The clouds poured down water, the skies sent out a sound [of rumbling thunder]; Your arrows went forth [in forked lightning].
18 The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind, the lightnings illumined the world; the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way [in delivering Your people] was through the sea, and Your paths through the great waters, yet Your footsteps were not traceable, but were obliterated.
20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron (AMP)

Knowledge of God’s Mystery

Knowledge of God’s Mystery, Col 1:26-29, 2:1-3 Day 8 of our study on Meditation.


26 The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints),
27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.
28 Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One).
29 For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.


1 FOR I want you to know how great is my solicitude for you [how severe an inward struggle I am engaged in for you] and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen my face and known me personally.
2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One).
3 In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. AMP


Meditate on these verses and rejoice that God has chosen to reveal this mystery to us. Focus on verse 27 and then reread this passage.

ARTWORK BY GRAHAM BRADDOCK