Meditation God’s Medication
by Regina Gray
“Growing up, I recall both reciting and singing in Sunday School and in Vacation Bible School, Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. But growing up in a home headed by a conservative, fundamental, evangelical pastor (my dad), I don’t recall ever discussing the practice of meditation. During my growing up years, the practice of meditation was reserved for those who either stood on their heads or sat in what appeared to be an uncomfortable squatting position and made humming sounds while maintaining what appeared to be a blissful countenance. It never occurred to me to question what those meditating were actually doing – or why.
I just knew it wasn’t something conservative, fundamental, evangelicals did! In my later years I have learned that questioning a practice and going to the Bible for personal, Scriptural answers is the only way to be sure I am getting an answer that does not include the influence, interpretations, and opinions of other persons. Meditation when defined as the act or process of thinking becomes a simple, harmless process. (More simple for some of us than we care to admit, maybe!) Meditation is the act of thoughtful reflection and deliberation. So the content is what is helpful or harmful to us, not the process. Psalm 19:14 sets the standard for content (“acceptable in Thy sight”) and there are numerous Scriptures that clarify what we are to meditate on and what results we may expect. Psalm 1:2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 104:34: My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 119: 15: I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 23: Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 48: My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. 97: 0 how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day…”
(This article is an excerpt from the Sept-Oct 2003 edition of the Sabbath Sentinel)
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The Sabbath Sentinel 